Activation of snail and EMT-like signaling via the IKKαβ/NF-κB pathway in Apicidin-resistant HA22T hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Chin J Physiol. 2013 Dec 31;56(6):326-33. doi: 10.4077/CJP.2013.BAB158.

Abstract

The molecular and phenotypic associations between chemo- or radio-resistance and the acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype are tightly related in cancer cells. Wnt/β- catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways play crucial roles in EMT induction. Apicidin-resistant (Apicidin- R) HA22T cells are known to activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and MMP-2 expression via the IGF-IR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to enhance metastatic effects of cancer cells. In this study, we further investigated if Apicidin-R HA22T cells actually underwent EMT. In Apicidin-R HA22T cells, E-cadherin protein level was reduced but Vimentin, Snail and Twist were significantly activated. Activation of p-IKKαβ and p-IκBα was also observed in Apicidin-R HA22T cells. Apicidin-R HA22T cells displayed even higher NF-κB nuclear accumulation. Snail was enhanced but GSK3-β was reduced. However, unphosphorylated GSK3-β protein level was totally reversed when the Snail-specific siRNA was applied in a knockdown experiment. Taken together, Apicidin-R HA22T cells could potentiate aggressive metastasis behavior due to up-regulation of Snail expression and promoted EMT effects via the IKKαβ/NF-κB pathway. In addition, Snail might decrease the GSK3-β level resulting in extraordinarily activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / physiology
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / physiology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • apicidin
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3