FH535 inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 cells via downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver. Target therapy may improve prognosis of HCC. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a potential therapeutic approach. HepG2 cells were treated with the β-catenin inhibitor FH535. β-catenin protein expression was semi-quantitatively assessed using western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was examined with a 3‑(4,5-dimethyl-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt (MTS) assay. The mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The Griess assay was used to determine nitric oxide (NO) concentration. FH535 inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and decreased β-catenin protein expression. mRNA expression of iNOS, a target gene of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, was decreased in FH535‑treated HepG2 cells compared to the control group. NO production was also reduced by FH535. In conclusion, the β-catenin inhibitor FH535 may inhibit HCC cell proliferation via downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, targeting this pathway may be useful in HCC therapy.
Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250033, P.R. China.
Jing
J
Liu
Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China.
Guangbing
G
Li
Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China.
Dejie
D
Liu
Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, P.R. China.
Jun
J
Liu
D015153:Blotting, Western; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
C575430:FH535; D013449:Sulfonamides; D051176:beta Catenin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase