Yanxu HOU
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Xuebing LI
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Zhenhua PAN
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Lingling ZU
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Yaguang FAN
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Jiacong YOU
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Yuli WANG
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Min WANG
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Peirui CHEN
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Wang SHEN
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
Qinghua ZHOU
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China;Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
Background and objective Our previous study found that nicotine could induce lung cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between nicotine-induced EMT and lung cancer invasion and metastasis. Methods Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression changes of EMT-related markers, E-cadherin and Vimentin, in A549 lung cancer cells treated with nicotine; The transposition of β-catenin protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence; Scratch test and Transwell invasion assay were used to detect the effects of nicotine on lung cancer cell migration and invasion. Results Nicotine can significantly down-regulate the expressional level of E-cadherin mRNA and protein of A549 cells in a manner of dose and time-dependent (P<0.01, P<0.01); Nicotine can significantly up-regulate the expressional level of Vimentin mRNA and protein of A549 cells in a manner of dose and time-dependent (P<0.01, P<0.01); Immunofluorescence results showed that β-catenin protein was significantly transfered to nucleus; Scratch test and Transwell assay showed that Nicotine could remarkably increase the migration and invasion potential of lung cancer cells (P<0.01, P<0.01). Conclusion Nicotine can induce cancer cells EMT, and promote the invasion and metastasis ability of lung cancer cells.