title: Wheatgrass extract inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions (CO25%/O21%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and 150 µg/mL) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-1α and the pSmad3 signaling pathway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chosun University College of Medicine, 365 Plimundaero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Yong
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Do
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical and Polymer Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chosun University College of Medicine, 365 Plimundaero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Triticum; cadherins; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; hypoxia inducible factor 1; sinusitis