[Effect of MSX2 interference on epithelial-mesenchymal transitions of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of MSX2 interference on epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) of pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1.


METHODS
Three vectors containing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) of MSX2 (shMSX2-1, shMSX2-2, and shMSX2-3) and the empty vector (negative control) were transfected separately into PANC-1 cell line with Lipofectamine2000. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to observe changes in the expressions of MSX2, E-cadherin, and vimentin in the cells. CCK-8 assay was used to assess the changes in the cell growth, and wound scratch assay and Transwell assay were employed to evaluate the cell invasion and metastasis after the transfection.


RESULTS
Among the 3 shRNA, shMSX2-1 showed the highest interference efficiency. MSX2 knockdown by the specific shRNA of MSX2 significantly increased E-cadherin expressions, lowered vimentin expressions, and suppressed the invasion, metastasis and proliferation of the cells (P<0.05). MSX2 knockdown also resulted in morphological changes of the cells into cobblestone-like cells in close contact. RT-PCR results revealed significantly reduced mRNA expressions of the transcription factors snail and twist (P<0.05) without affecting slug and zeb1 expressions in the cells with MSX2 knockdown. Conclusion MSX2 knockdown can reverse EMT and induce MET in PANC1 cells, in which process the transcription factors snail and twist may play a role.
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Bengbu, 233000, China.E-mail: zdy527897470@126.com.
Dengyong
D
Zhang
Xiang
X
Ma
Binquan
B
Wu
Peiyuan
P
Cui
Huichun
H
Liu
Zheng
Z
Lu
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; C513384:CDH1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C084119:MSX2 protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C000604407:SNAI1 protein, human; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; C103173:TWIST1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1; D014746:Vimentin