title: Periostin Mediates TGF-β-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In our previous study, we found that periostin was upregulated in prostate cancer, and its expression could be modulated by TGF-β. TGF-β could upregulate periostin expression in some cells, and both TGF-β and periostin could induce epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). We aimed to study the effect of periostin in the process of TGF-β-induced EMT in prostate cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  We constructed a lentivirus vector containing the periostin gene and transduced it into PC3 and DU145 cells. After confirming periostin overexpression by PCR and Western blotting, we used an MTT assay to establish a growth curve to measure cell proliferation. Additionally, we performed transwell and wound healing assays to measure cell invasion and migration, respectively. Lastly, we measured the expression of EMT associated factors using Western blot analysis to test the effect of periostin on EMT in prostate cancer cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed that periostin was upregulated after infection with the periostin lentiviral vector. Periostin overexpression promoted increased cell proliferation, invasion, and migration as measured by MTT, transwell, and wound healing assays, respectively. Western blot analysis illustrated that periostin overexpression increased the expression of EMT associated factors, and periostin overexpression activated Akt and GSK-3β, which could be inhibited using a PI3K inhibitor. Additionally, TGF-β increased the levels of STAT3, Twist1 and periostin, while both STAT3 shRNA and Twist1 shRNA inhibited periostin expression. However, STAT3 shRNA also decreased Twist1 expression. Although reduction of STAT3, Twist1 or periostin levels with shRNA inhibited TGF-β-induced overexpression of EMT associated factors, periostin overexpression could reverse such inhibition by interfering with STAT3 and Twist1. Similarly, periostin overexpression also reversed inhibition of cell invasion induced by interference of STAT3 and Twist1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that periostin is an important mediator of TGF-β-induced EMT and suggest that periostin is a potential therapeutic target for suppressing the metastatic progression of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qingfeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Shijun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Yuancheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gou
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Chuanyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Guowei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C512835:POSTN protein, human; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C103173:TWIST1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3