title: Knockdown of LI-cadherin alters expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and galectin-3.
abstract: Liver-intestine cadherin (LI-cadherin), a novel member of the cadherin family, has been associated with the ability of a tumor to acquire an aggressive phenotype in several types of cancer. However, the exact function of LI-cadherin in the process of tumor invasion and metastasis remains predominantly unknown. To explore the effect of LI-cadherin on the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and galectin-3 in LoVo human colorectal cancer cells, a RNA interference technique was applied to suppress the expression of LI‑cadherin. Subsequently, the mRNA levels and activities of MMP-2 and -9 were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and gelatin zymography, respectively. Additionally, the protein expression level of galectin-3 was determined by western blot analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-silencing of LI-cadherin significantly increased the mRNA levels and activities of MMP‑2 and ‑9, and significantly reduced the protein levels of galectin‑3 in LoVo cells compared with control shRNA (P<0.05). These data indicate that knockdown of LI‑cadherin facilitates the invasion of cancer cells by degrading extracellular matrix components via activation of MMP‑2 and ‑9, and increases cancer cell adhesion and migration via altered expression of galectin‑3. This suggests that LI‑cadherin serves an important role in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer, and may be used as a potential therapeutic target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiongfang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Huangyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Weiguo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D037161:Galectins; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; C490584:CDH17 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; C579270:MMP9 protein, human; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9