hsa_circ_0000520 influences herceptin resistance in gastric cancer cells through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Abstract

Background: To investigate whether hsa_circ_0000520 affects Herceptin resistance in gastric cancer by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling.

Methods: The expression of hsa_circ_0000520 was detected by qRT-PCR in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. A Herceptin-resistant gastric cancer cell was established. PcDNA and pcDNA-hsa_circ_0000520 were transfected into NCI-N87R cells and treated with Herceptin at a concentration of 10 μg/mL for 24 hours. MTT tested cell proliferation, and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. IGF-1 treatment was used to activate PI3K-Akt signaling. The expression levels of related proteins were detected.

Results: The expression of hsa_circ_0000520 was reduced in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, and hsa_circ_0000520 in NCI-N87R cells was significantly lower than that of NCI-N87 cells. Compared with the CON group, the cell viability of the Herceptin group was significantly reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Bax protein was significantly increased, and the levels of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt protein were significantly reduced. Compared with the Herceptin + pcDNA group, the cell viability of the Herceptin + hsa_circ_0000520 group was significantly reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Bax protein was significantly increased, and the levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins were significantly reduced. After IGF-1 treatment, the cell viability was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate was significantly reduced, the level of Bax protein was significantly reduced, and the level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly increased.

Conclusion: Hsa_circ_0000520 overexpression may reverse the Herceptin resistance of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Keywords: Herceptin; PI3K-Akt; drug resistance; gastric cancer; hsa_circ_0000520.