Research of TGF-beta1 inducing lung adencarcinoma PC9 cells to mesenchymal cells transition / 中国肺癌杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>It has been proven that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) not only correlated with embryonic development but also could promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) has been identified as the main inducer of tumor EMT. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TGF-beta1 on EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in lung adencarcinoma PC9 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured PC9 cells were treated with different concentrations of TGF-beta1 for 48 h. The morphological changes were observed under phase-contrast microscopy; EMT relative marker protein changes were assessed by Western blot and immunoflurescence staining. In addition, the expression of AKT and P-AKT were also measured by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data showed that TGF-beta1 could induce PC9 morphological alteration from epithelial to mesenchymal and upregulate the expression of mesenchymal maker protein Fibronectin. Obviously, the expression of P-AKT was downregulated by TGF-beta1 treatment for 48 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGF-beta1 might induce EMT of PC9 cells, accompanied by the changes of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.</p>