Effect of atractylenolide Ⅲ on zearalenone-induced Snail1-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in porcine intestinal epithelium

Background The intestinal epithelium performs essential physiological functions,such as nutrient absorption,and acts as a barrier to prevent the entry of harmful substances.Mycotoxins are prevalent contaminants found in ani-mal feed that exert harmful effects on the health of livestock.Zearalenone(ZEA)is produced by the Fusarium genus and induces gastrointestinal dysfunction and disrupts the health and immune system of animals.Here,we evaluated the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effects of ZEA on the porcine intestinal epithelium.Results Treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with ZEA decreased the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of Snai1 and Vimentin,which induced Snail1-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).In addition,ZEA induces Snail-mediated EMT through the activation of TGF-βsignaling.The treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with atractyle-nolideⅢ,which were exposed to ZEA,alleviated EMT.Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ZEA toxicity in porcine intestinal epi-thelial cells and ways to mitigate it.

Eriocitrin inhibits proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition

Objective:To investigate the effects of Eriocitrin on the proliferation and migration of Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells A549 and H1299,and the mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition(EMT).Methods:The effects of different Eriocitrin on the proliferation of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 were examined by CCK8 method.EMT-associated epithelial calmodulin(E-cadherin and N-cadherin),vimentin,ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH were detected by Western Blot and expression of mRNA of EMT marker molecules E-cadherin,N-cadherin,Snail were detected by qRT-PCR.Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae suberin on ferroptosis in LUAD cells as observed by lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay.Results:Eriocitrin could significantly inhibit the proliferative behavior of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 and showed a certain dose-and time-dependence.Compared with the control group,different concentrations of Eriocitrin could significantly reduce the scratch healing rate after 24 and 48 h of action,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of ROS is increased,EMT-related protein E-cadherin was increased in LUAD cells A549 and H1299 compared with the control group after the intervention with Eriocitrin.N-cadherin and Vimentin expression was decreased.E-cadherin mRNA expression was increased,and N-cadherin,Snail mRNA expression was decreased,expression of ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH was decreased,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Eriocitrin may inhibit the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells by regulating the EMT pathway and has potential application in LUAD prevention and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Analysis of Differential Gene Expression and Core Canonical Pathways Involved in the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a malignant form of cancer with very high mortality and morbidity. Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the most common pathophysiological change observed in cancer cells of epithelial origin that promotes metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cell formation. Since the information regarding differential gene expression in TNBC cells and cell signaling events leading to EMT is limited, this investigation was done by comparing transcriptomic data generated by RNA isolation and sequencing of a EMT model TNBC cell line in comparison to regular TNBC cells. RNA sequencing and Ingenuity Pathway Software Analysis (IPA) of the transcriptomic data revealed several upregulated and downregulated gene expressions along with novel core canonical pathways including Sirtuin signaling, Oxidative Phosphorylation and Mitochondrial dysfunction events involved in EMT changes of the TNBC cells.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells A549 induced by SPHK1

Objective:To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of SPHK1 in the invasion and metastasis process of non-small-cell lung cancer cells(A549).Methods:Recombinant retrovirus was used to mediate the production of A549/vector,A549/SPHK1,A549/scramble,and A549/SPHK1/RNAi that stably expressed or silenced SPHK1.The invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells overexpressing or silencing SPHK1 were determined using Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiment.The protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin,fibronectin,vimentin in A549/vector,A549/SPHK1,A549/scramble,A549/SPHK1/RNAi were detected with Western blot(WB) and quantitative PCR(QPCR) methods,respectively.Results:Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiments showed that over-expression of SPHK1 obviously enhanced the invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells.WB and QPCR detection results showed that,the expression of E-cadherin(a molecular marker of epithelial cells) and fibronectin,vimentin(molecular markers of mesenchymal cells) in A549 cells was upregulated after overexpression of SPHK1;while SPHK1 silencing significantly reduced the invasion and metastasis capacities of A549 cells,upregulated the expression of molecular marker of epithelial cells,and downregulated the expression of molecular marker of mesenchymal cells.Conclusions:SPHK1 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells and affects the invasion and metastasis capacities of these cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors and mi RNAs: “Plastic surgeons” of breast cancer

Growing evidence suggests that breast cancer cell plasticity arises due to a partial reactivation of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT) programs in order to give cells pluripotency, leading to a stemness-like phenotype. A complete EMT would be a dead end program that would render cells unable to fully metastasize to distant organs. Evoking the EMT-mesenchymal-toepithelial transition(MET) cascade promotes successful colonization of distal target tissues. It is unlikely that direct reprogramming or trans-differentiation without passing through a pluripotent stage would be thepreferred mechanism during tumor progression. This review focuses on key EMT transcriptional regulators, EMT-transcription factors involved in EMT(TFs) and the mi RNA pathway, which are deregulated in breast cancer, and discusses their implications in cancer cell plasticity. Cross-regulation between EMT-TFs and mi RNAs, where mi RNAs act as co-repressors or co-activators, appears to be a pivotal mechanism for breast cancer cells to acquire a stem cell-like state, which is implicated both in breast metastases and tumor recurrence. As a master regulator of mi RNA biogenesis, the ribonuclease type Ⅲ endonuclease Dicer plays a central role in EMTTFs/mi RNAs regulating networks. All these EMT-MET key regulators represent valuable new prognostic and predictive markers for breast cancer as well as promising new targets for drug-resistant breast cancers.

Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer initiation and progression

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide.Due to its intricate initiation and progression mechanisms,early detection and effective treatment of gastric cancer are difficult to achieve.The epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)is characterized as a fundamental process that is critical for embryonic development,wound healing and fibrotic disease.Recent evidence has established that aberrant EMT activation in the human stomach is closely associated with gastric carcinogenesis and tumor progression.EMT activation endows gastric epithelial cells with increased characteristics of mesenchymal cells and reduces their epithelial features.Moreover,mesenchymal cells tend to dedifferentiate and acquire stem cell or tumorigenic phenotypes such as invasion,metastasis and apoptosis resistance as well as drug resistance during EMT progression.There are a number of molecules that indicate the stage of EMT(e.g.,E-cadherin,an epithelial cell biomarker);therefore,certain transcriptional proteins,especially E-cadherin transcriptional repressors,may participate in the regulation of EMT.In addition,EMT regulation may be associated with certain epigenetic mechanisms.The aforementioned molecules can be used as early diagnostic markers for gastric cancer,and EMT regulation can provide potential targets for gastric cancer therapy.Here,we review the role of these aspects of EMT in gastric cancer initiation and development.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer progression and metastasis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women,and approximately 90% of breast cancer deaths are caused by local invasion and distant metastasis of tumor cells.Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) is a vital process for large-scale cell movement during morphogenesis at the time of embryonic development.Tumor cells usurp this developmental program to execute the multi-step process of tumorigenesis and metastasis.Several transcription factors and signals are involved in these events.In this review,we summarize recent advances in breast cancer researches that have provided new insights in the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT regulation during breast cancer progression and metastasis.We especially focus on the molecular pathways that control EMT.

MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastoma cells by reversing epithelial mesenchymal transition

AIM： To analyze the relationship between clinical features and epithelial mesenchymal transition （EMT） in retinoblastoma （RB）, further to investigate whether miR-200c regulates the EMT and migration of RB cells. METHODS： Expression of EMT-related markers and tumor- related factors were detected by immuno-histochemistry analysis in RB tissue from 29 cases. Correlations between their expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed. The regulation effects of miR-200c on EMT-related markers, tumor-related factors were observed in mRNA level and protein level by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and Western blot, respectively, in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Its effects on migration force of these RB cell lines were also detected with Transwell test. RESULTS： Lower expression of E-cadherin was present in the cases with malignant prognosis. MiR-200c promoted the expression of E-cadherin and decreased the expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin in Y79 and Weri-rbl cells. Migration force of RB cells could be inhibited by miR-200c. CONCLUSION： EMT might be associated with bad prognosis in RB. MiR-200c suppresses the migration of retinoblastomatous cells by reverse EMT.

Evaluation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitioned circulating tumor cells in patients with resectable gastric cancer: Relevance to therapy response

AIM: To evaluate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of circulating tumor cells(CTCs) in gastric cancer patients.METHODS: We detected tumor cells for expression of four epithelial(E^+) transcripts(keratins 8, 18, and 19 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule) and two mesenchymal(M^+) transcripts(Vimentin and Twist) by a quantifiable, dual-colorimetric RNA-in situ hybridization assay. Between July 2014 and October 2014, 44 patients with gastric cancer were recruited for CTC evaluation. Blood samples were obtained from selected patients during the treatment course [before surgery, after surgery and at the 6^(th) cycle of XELOX based chemotherapy(about 6 mo postoperatively)].RESULTS: We found the EMT phenomenon in which there were a few biphenotypic E^+/M^+ cells in primary human gastric cancer specimens. Of the 44 patients, the presence of CTCs was reported in 35(79.5%) patients at baseline. Five types of cells including from exclusively E^+ CTCs to intermediate CTCs and exclusively M^+ CTCs were identified(4 patients with M^+ CTCs and 10 patients with M^+ or M^+ > E^+ CTCs). Further, a chemotherapy patient having progressive disease showed a proportional increase of mesenchymal CTCs in the post-treatment blood specimens. We used NCI-N87 cells to analyze the linearity and sensitivity of Can Patrol^(TM) system and the correlation coefficient(R^2) was 0.999.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the EMT phenomenon was both in a few cells of primary tumors and abundantly in CTCs from the blood of gastric cancer patients, which might be used to monitor therapy response.

Attenuated LKB1-SIK1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and radioresistance of non–small cell lung cancer cells

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic approaches for non–small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). However, radioresistant cancer cells can eventually cause tumor relapse and even fatal metastasis. It is thought that radioresistance and metastasis could be potentially linked by epithelial?mesenchymal transition(EMT). In this study, we established radioresistant NSCLC cells to investigate the potential relationship among radioresistance, EMT, and enhanced metastatic potential and the underlying mechanism involving liver kinase B1(LKB1)?Salt?inducible kinase 1(SIK1) signaling.Methods: The radioresistant cell lines A549 R and H1299 R were generated by dose?gradient irradiation of the paren?tal A549 and H1299 cells. The radioresistance/sensitivity was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit?8 assay, apoptosis analysis, and/or clonogenic cell survival assay. The EMT phenotype and the signaling change were assessed by Western blot?ting. The abilities of invasion and migration were evaluated by transwell assays and wound healing assays.Results: The radioresistant cell lines A549 R and H1299 R displayed mesenchymal features with enhanced invasion and migration. Mechanistically, A549 R and H1299 R cells had attenuated LKB1?SIK1 signaling, which leaded to the up?regulation of Zinc?finger E?box?binding homeobox factor 1(ZEB1)—a transcription factor that drives EMT. Re?expression of LKB1 in A549 R cells reversed the EMT phenotype, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299 R cells further promoted the EMT phenotype. Moreover, re?expression of LKB1 in A549 cells increased the radiosensitivity, whereas knockdown of LKB1 in H1299 cells decreased the radiosensitivity.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that attenuated LKB1?SIK1 signaling promotes EMT and radioresistance of NSCLC cells, which subsequently contributes to the enhanced metastatic potential. Targeting the LKB1?SIK1?ZEB1 pathway to suppress EMT might provide therapeutic benefits.

Human lens epithelial cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM： To evaluate human lens epithelium cell apoptosis and epithelial to mesenchymal transition （EMT） induced by femtosecond laser in femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery （FLACS）. METHODS： Sixty cataract patients with N2 to N3 stage according to the LOCS III were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups randomly： FLACSl group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LenSx）, FLACS2 group （cataract surgery by FLACS with LensAR） and manual group （cataract surgery by phacoemulsification）. Patients in two FLACS groups performed anterior capsulotomy by LenSx or LensAR laser system. Patients in the manual group were performed continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis （CCC） manually. The anterior capsules were fixed right after moved out of eye. Hematoxylin-eosine staining, immunofluorescence staining and real-time PCR were performed in order to observe human lens epithelium cells changes after cataract surgery. RESULTS： The capsule cutting edge was shown irregularity and roughness in two FLACS groups and smooth edge in manual capsulotomy by pathologic staining. Irregularities of the cell configuration with partly swollen and destroyed nuclei were observed in two FLACS groups. Femtosecond laser could induce a significantly higher cell apoptosis in human lens epithelium cell than manually performed CCC （P〈0.05）. Lens epithelium cells apoptosis were correlated with femtosecond laser duration according to Pearson correlation analysis. Decreased N-cadherin expression, alpha-SMA and FSP-1 level in two FLACS groups showed the inhibition of cell EMT. CONCLUSION： Femtosecond laser may affect the apoptosis and EMT of lens epithelium cells which are under the peeled central lens capsule.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition- activating transcription factors- multifunctional regulators in cancer

The process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT), first noted during embryogenesis, has also been reported in tumor formation and leads to the development of metastatic growth. It is a naturally occurring process that drives the transformation of adhesive,non-mobile epithelial like cells into mobile cells with a mesenchymal phenotype that have ability to migrate to distant anatomical sites. Activating complex network of embryonic signaling pathways, including Wnt, Notch,hedgehog and transforming growth factor-β pathways,lead to the upregulation of EMT activating transcription factors, crucial for normal tissue development and maintenance. However, deregulation of tightly regulated pathways affecting the process of EMT has been recently investigated in various human cancers. Given the critical role of EMT in metastatic tumor formation,better understanding of the mechanistic regulation provides new opportunities for the development of potential therapeutic targets of clinical importance.

Systematic review of the old and new concepts in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) is defined as the transformation of an epithelial cell into a spindle cell with the loss of membrane E-cadherin expression and the gain of mesenchymal markers positivity. In the field of colorectal cancer(CRC), first data about EMT was published in 1995 and more than 400 papers had been written up to March 2016. Most of them are focused on the molecular pathways and experimentally-proved chemoresistance. In the present article, an update in the field of EMT in CRC based on the review of the literature and personal experience of the authors is presented. The information about the molecular and immunohistochemical(IHC) particularities of these processes and their possible role in the prognosis of CRC were also up-dated. This article focuses on the IHC quantification of the EMT, the immunoprofile of tumor buds and on the relation between EMT, angiogenesis, and stem cells activation. The EMT-induced chemoresistance vs chemotherapyor radiotherapy-induced EMT and cellular senescence was also synthesized for both conventional and targeted therapy. As a future perspective, the EMTangiogenesis-stemness link could be used as a possible valuable parameter for clinical follow-up and targeted therapeutic oncologic management of patients with CRC. Association of dexamethasone and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors combined with conventional chemotherapies could have clinical benefits in patients with CRC. The main conclusion is that, although many studies have been published, the EMT features are still incompletely elucidated and newly discovered EMT markers provide confusing data in understanding this complicated process, which might have significant clinical impact.

Mechanisms of fibrogenesis in liver cirrhosis:The molecular aspects of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Liver injuries are repaired by fibrosis and regeneration.The cause of fibrosis and diminished regeneration,especially in liver cirrhosis,is still unknown.Epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT) has been found to be associated with liver fibrosis.The possibility that EMT could contribute to hepatic fibrogenesis reinforced the concept that activated hepatic stellate cells are not the only key players in the hepatic fibrogenic process and that other cell types,either hepatic or bone marrow-derived cells could contribute to this process.Following an initial enthusiasm for the discovery of this novel pathway in fibrogenesis,more recent research has started to cast serious doubts upon the real relevance of this phenomenon in human fibrogenetic disorders.The debate on the authenticity of EMT or on its contribution to the fibrogenic process has become very animated.The overall result is a general confusion on the meaning and on the definition of several key aspects.The aim of this article is to describe how EMT participates to hepatic fibrosis and discuss the evidence of supporting this possibility in order to reach reasonable and useful conclusions.

Inflammatory microenvironment contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC) is the fifth most common malignancy in the world. The major cause of GC is chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori). Infection with H. pylori leads to an active inflammatory microenvironment that is maintained by immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, among other cells. Immune cell dysfunction allows the initiation and accumulation of mutations in GC cells, inducing aberrant proliferation and protection from apoptosis. Meanwhile, immune cells can secrete certain signals, including cytokines, and chemokines, to alter intracellular signaling pathways in GC cells. Thus, GC cells obtain the ability to metastasize to lymph nodes by undergoing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), whereby epithelial cells lose their epithelial attributes and acquire a mesenchymal cell phenotype. Metastasis is a leading cause of death for GC patients, and the involved mechanisms are still under investigation. In this review, we summarize the current research on how the inflammatory environment affects GC initiation and metastasis via EMT.

p38 MAPK is Crucial for Wnt1- and LiCl-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） is characterized by myofibroblast loci in lung parenchyma. Myofibroblasts are thought to originate from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition （EMT）. Wntl and lithium chloride （LiCl） induce EMT in alveolar epithelial cells （AECs）, but the mechanisms are unclear. AECs were treated with Wntl and LiC1, respectively; morphological change and molecular changes of EMT, including E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin, were observed. SB203580 was administrated to test the role of p38 MAPK signaling in EMT. Then AECs were treated with siRNAs targeting p38 MAPK to further test the effects of p38 MAPK, and the role was further confirmed by re-expression of p38 MAPK. At last β-catenin siRNA was used to test the role of β-catenin in the EMT process and relationship of β-catenin and p38 MAPK was concluded. Exposure of AECs to Wntl and LiC1 resulted in upregulation of vimentin and fibronectin with subsequent downregulation of E-cadherin. Wntl and LiC1 stimulated the p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Perturbing the p38 MAPK pathway either by SB203580 or through p38 MAPK siRNA blocked EMT and inhibited fibronetin synthesis, which were reversed by transfection of p38 MAPK expression plasmid. β-catenin siRNA attenuated the EMT process and decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, indicating that β-catenin is involved in the EMT- related changes through regulation of p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These findings suggest that p38 MAPK participates in the pathogenesis of EMT through Wnt pathway and that p38 MAPK may be a novel target for IPF therapy.

GSK3β inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt pathways

AIM： To investigate the regulatory mechanism of glycogen synthase kinase 3β（GSK3β） in epithelialmesenchymal transition（EMT） process after proliferative vitreoretinopathy（PVR） induction. METHODS： Experimental PVR was induced by intravitreal injection of retinal pigment epithelium（RPE） cells in the eyes of rabbits. A PI3 K/Akt inhibitor（wortmannin） and a GSK3β inhibitor（Li Cl） were also injected at different time during PVR progress. Electroretinogram（ERG）, ocular fundus photographs, and B-scan ultrasonography were used to observe the PVR progress. Western blot test on the extracted retina were performed at 1, 2, 4 wk. The expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin was determined by immunohistochemistry. Toxicity of wortmannin and Li Cl were evaluated by ERG and Td Tmediated d UTP nick-end labeling（TUNEL） assay. The vitreous was also collected for metabolomic analysis. RESULTS： Experimental PVR could significantly lead to EMT, along with the suppressed expression of GSK3β and the activation of Wnt/β-catenin and PI3 K/Akt pathways. It was verified that upregulating the expression of GSK3β could effectively inhibit EMT process by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin and PI3 K/Akt pathways. CONCLUSION： GSK3β effectively inhibits EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3 K/Akt pathways. GSK3β may be regarded as a promising target of experimental PVR inhibition.

KAI1 reverses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human pancreatic cancer cells

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in pancreatic cancer (PC). In the present study, we investigated the effects of KAI1 gene overexpression on the EMT of human PC cell lines, MIA PaCa-2 and PACN-1. Methods: Plasmids overexpressing KAI1 and pCMV were transfected into MIA PaCa-2 and PACN-1 cells, respectively. After selection of differently transfected cells by G418, KAI1 protein levels were examined by Western blotting, and transfected cells were renamed as MIA PaCa-2-K, MIA PaCa-2-p, PACN-1-K and PACN-1-p. Wound healing and Transwell migration assays were then performed comparing the two groups of cells. EMT-related markers were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The percentage of wound closure significantly decreased in MIA PaCa-2-K cells compared with MIA PaCa-2-p and MIA PaCa-2 cells after 24, 48 and 72 h ( P < 0.05). In PACN-1-K cells, the percentage of wound closure significantly decreased as well ( P < 0.05). Numbers of invading MIA PaCa-2, MIA PaCa-2-p and MIA PaCa-2-K cells were determined as 48.0 ±15.4, 50.0 ±12.4, and 12.0 ±3.8, respectively. The corresponding numbers of invading PACN-1, PACN-1-p and PACN-1-K cells were 29.0 ±10.6, 31.0 ±11.4, and 8.0 ±4.2, respectively. KAI1 overexpression induced a significant upregulation of E-cadherin and also significant downregulation of Snail, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9 (all P < 0.05) in PC cells. Conclusions: KAI1 reversed EMT-related marker expression and inhibited migration and invasion of PC cells. Thus, KAI1 might represent a novel potential therapeutic target for PC.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 promotes tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by inducing epithelialmesenchymal transition and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To clarify the role of proteinase-activated receptor 2(PAR2) in hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in the process of metastasis.METHODS PAR2 expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC) in patient tissues and in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Hep G2. Cell proliferation and metastasis were assessed both in vitro and in vitro. Immunoblotting was carried out to monitor the levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers.RESULTS The prognosis was significantly poorer in patients with high PAR2 levels than in those with low PAR2 levels. Patients with high PAR2 levels had advanced tumor stage(P = 0.001, chi-square test), larger tumor size(P = 0.032, chi-square test), and high microvascular invasion rate(P = 0.037, chi-square test). The proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells was increased after PAR2 overexpression, while knockdown of PAR2 decreased the proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells. Knockdown of PAR2 also inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cell growth and liver metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistically, PAR2 increased the proliferation ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells via ERK activation. Activated ERK further promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of these cells, which endowed them with enhanced migration and invasion ability. CONCLUSION These data suggest that PAR2 plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting PAR2 may present a favorable target for treatment of this malignancy.

In vitro inhibition of proliferation,migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of human lens epithelial cells by fasudil

AIM： To study the potential role of fasudil as a treatment for posterior capsular opacification（PCO） of the human crystalline lens.METHODS： Human lens epithelial cells（HLECs; line SRA01/04） was exposed to transforming growth factor-β2（TGF-β2） to induce the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition（EMT）. Fasudil was applied to the cell samples. Its effect on overall HLECs proliferation and migration was studied, as was its influence on EMT induction by TGF-β2 using cell migration assay, MTT colorimetric assay and Western blot assay.RESULTS： Fasudil inhibited the proliferation of SRA01/04. Its effect was time-and concentration-dependent. The migration of SRA01/04 cells was significantly reduced 24-72 h after fasudil treatment, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration（IC50） was 22.37 μmol/mL at 72 h. Reversal of the elongated, fibroblast-like shape changes induced by TGF-β2 in SRA01/04 cells was observed. Fasudil up-regulated the expression of Connexin43 protein and down-regulated the expression of α-SMA protein compared with the cells treated with TGF-β2. Furthermore, when exposed to fasudil, the phosphorylation of Rhoassociated protein kinase（Rock） and myosin light chain（MLC） could not be activated in the cell preparations.CONCLUSION： Fasudil suppresses the proliferation and migration of SRA01/04 cells, and inhibits the process of EMT induced by TGF-β2. These results suggest that fasudil may serve as a therapeutic agent for PCO.