Effects of Genistein on Epithelium-Mesenchyme Transition of Alveolar Type Ⅱ Cells / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of genistein on the epithelium-mesenchyme transition of alveolar type II cells; To discuss its mechanism of improving pulmonary fibrosis. Methods The activity of genistein with different concentrations and TGF-β1 intervention cells after 72 h were determined by CCK-8 method; epithelial and mesenchymal markers as well as the key regulatory factors in the transformation process were determined by RT-PCR; changes of p38 and JNK signaling pathways were determined by Western blot. Results The A549 cells were transformed into fibroblast phenotype stimulated by TGF-β1 for 72 h; mesenchymal markers increased and endothelial marker decreased. The results of RT-PCR indicated that genistein inhibited this phenomenon in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of Western blot showed that, genistein possibly inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK signaling pathways and its downstream transcription factors. Conclusion Genistein has anti-fibrosis effects through inhibiting A549 cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.