6,6'-Bieckol induces apoptosis and suppresses TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small lung cancer cells

Yongxin Li; Man Liu; Kunlong Yang; Jun Tian

doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2021.05.005

6,6'-Bieckol induces apoptosis and suppresses TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small lung cancer cells

Chin Herb Med. 2021 Nov 23;14(2):254-262. doi: 10.1016/j.chmed.2021.05.005. eCollection 2022 Apr.

Authors

Yongxin Li¹, Man Liu¹, Kunlong Yang¹, Jun Tian¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biomedicine and Food Science, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China.

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the aim was to investigate the inhibitory effect of 6,6'-bieckol on the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, and explore its potential molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Cell migration was measured using a CCK8, wound healing, and transwell migration assay. Apoptosis was determined using an Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the expression level of apoptosis-related proteins and EMT marker proteins.

Results: The results showed that 6,6'-bieckol inhibited migration and induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, 6,6'-bieckol had significantly up-regulated the E-cadherin and down-regulated Snail1 and Twist1 transcriptional levels. 6,6'-Bieckol might inhibit TGF-β-induced EMT by down-regulating Snail1 and Twist1 and up-regulating E-cadherin in lung cancer cells.

Conclusion: It is suggested that 6,6'-bieckol has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic candidate for lung cancer.

Keywords: 6,6′-bieckol; apoptosis; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; migration; non-small cell lung cancer; phlorotannin; traditional Chinese medicine.