PLA2G2D fosters angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer through aerobic glycolysis

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stands prominent among the prevailing and formidable oncological entities. The immune and metabolic-related molecule Phospholipase A2, group IID (PLA2G2D) exerts promotional effects on tumor progression. However, its involvement in cancer angiogenesis remains elusive. Therefore, this investigation delved into the functional significance of PLA2G2D concerning angiogenesis in NSCLC. This study analyzed the expression and enriched pathways of PLA2G2D in NSCLC tissues through bioinformatics analysis, and measured the expression of PLA2G2D in NSCLC cells using qRT-PCR and western blot (WB). Subsequently, the viability and angiogenic potential of NSCLC cells were assessed employing CCK-8 and angiogenesis assays, respectively. The expression profile of angiogenic factors was analyzed through WB. Finally, the expression of glycolysis pathway-related genes, extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate, and the levels of pyruvate, lactate, citrate, and malate were analyzed in NSCLC cells using qRT-PCR, Seahorse XF 96, and related kits. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the upregulation of PLA2G2D in NSCLC tissues and its association with VEGF and glycolysis signaling pathways. Molecular and cellular experiments demonstrated that upregulated PLA2G2D promoted the viability, angiogenic ability, and glycolysis pathway of NSCLC cells. Rescue assays revealed that the effects of high expression of PLA2G2D on the viability, angiogenic ability, and glycolysis of NSCLC cells were weakened after the addition of the glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG. In summary, PLA2G2D plays a key role in NSCLC angiogenesis through aerobic glycolysis, displaying great potential as a target for anti-angiogenesis therapy.

Keywords:

• PLA2G2D
• glycolysis
• NSCLC
• angiogenesis

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed as follows:

Conceptualization & Methodology: Huaizhong Zhang, Keng Chen, Xuhui Wu.

Investigation & Resources: Yongqing Zhou, Zhuo Cao, Cunlai Xu, Lin Zhou.

Supervision: Xuhui Wu, Zhuo Cao, Songqing Lai.

Data Curation, Visualization & Software: Gongzhi Wu, Congxiong Peng, Songqing Lai, Huaizhong Zhang, Xuhui Wu.

Writing-Original Draft: Huaizhong Zhang, Yongqing Zhou, Cunlai Xu, Lin Zhou, Gongzhi Wu, Congxiong Peng.

Writing-Review & Editing: Xuhui Wu, Keng Chen, Yongqing Zhou, Zhuo Cao, Lin Zhou, Songqing Lai.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Data availability statements

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

Not applicable.