HMGB1-mediated autophagy modulates sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to oxaliplatin via MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of oxaliplatin-induced drug resistance in human colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and HCT116. Our results demonstrate a significant autophagy expression in CRC cells after an oxaliplatin treatment. Administration of oxaliplatin to human CRC cells significantly enhanced the expression of HMGB1, which regulated the autophagy response and negatively regulate the cell apoptosis. Moreover, a decreased oxaliplatin -induced autophagy response and an increased apoptosis level were detected in stable CRC cells harboring HMGB1 shRNA. Then we noted that HMGB1 significantly induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/Extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) phosphorylation. Taken together, these data suggest that HMGB1-mediated autophagy modulates sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to oxaliplatin via MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Keywords:

• apoptosis
• autophagy
• colorectal cancer
• HMGB1
• MEK/ERK pathway
• oxaliplatin

View correction statement:

Corrigendum

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Funding

This research was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30860257, 81101188 and 810701297), and Yunnan Provincial Department of Education (Number: ZD2011007).