title: [Effects of inhibition of Hedgehog signaling pathway for transforming growth factor-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the mechanism of Hedgehog pathway in the metastasis of gastric cancer and examine particularly the effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using pharmacological and siRNA knockdown approach, the Hedgehog pathway was inhibited. The cellular morphology, protein level, invasion and metastatic abilities were measured by microscope, Western blot, Transwell invasion assay and Transwell migration assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under the inhibition of Hedgehog pathway, the invasive and migration abilities of gastric cancer decreased. The transforming growth factor (TGF) -β could induce spindle-like-shaped morphological changes with a down-regulation of epithelial characteristic (decreased E-cadherin protein level) and an up-regulation of mesenchymal characteristics (increased Vimentin protein level). There were concurrent increases of invasive and migration potentials by 3 and 4 folds respectively.However, under the continuous stimulation of TGF-β, the inhibition of Hedgehog pathway could reverse the EMT changes, lower the expression of vimentin and reduce the invasion and metastatic abilities by 3 and 2 folds respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inhibition of Hedgehog pathway can decrease the TGF-β-inducing EMT.It suggests that Hedgehog pathway may play a critical role in the metastasis of gastric cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Jian-hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jin-ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Chuang-qi
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shi-rong
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Yu-long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta