Induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes by benzo[a]pyrene in lung cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
It is believed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during the development and progression of cancer; however, the correlation between tobacco smoking and EMT remains to be elucidated.


METHODS
Cells from the bronchioloalveolar carcinoma cell line A549 were exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) for 24 weeks, and morphology, proliferative activity, and gene expression profiles were analyzed.


RESULTS
Although no apparent morphologic changes were observed, the B[a]P-exposed A549 cells exhibited enhanced proliferative activity in 1% bovine serum that contained medium, and dramatic changes in expression levels were observed in a large number of genes. Of those, the expression of EMT-related genes, such as migration-stimulating factor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, fibronectin, twist, transforming growth factor-beta2, basic fibroblast growth factor, and electron transport system, were up-regulated; whereas gene expression of E-cadherin was decreased. Most enhanced expression levels remained 8 weeks after the retrieval of B[a]P in culture.


CONCLUSIONS
The current results indicated that B[a]P seems to induce EMT in lung cancer cells, and it also may drive disease progression in patients with lung cancer.
Yoshino
Ichiro
I
Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. iyoshino@surg2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Kometani
Takuro
T
Shoji
Fumihiro
F
Osoegawa
Atsushi
A
Ohba
Taro
T
Kouso
Hidenori
H
Takenaka
Tomoyoshi
T
Yohena
Tomofumi
T
Maehara
Yoshihiko
Y
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene