PRDX6 Overexpression Promotes Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of A549 Cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Purpose

Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) is frequently found in various cancers. However, its expression and relevance to proliferation, invasion, and migration in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. This study investigated the role and novel mechanism of PRDX6 in progression in an NSCLC cell line (A549).

Methods

We analyzed the expression of PRDX6 in NSCLC and adjacent normal tissues and explored the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells using either a PRDX6 plasmid or PRDX6 small interfering RNA (siRNA). We also assessed the effects of PRDX6 on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and β-catenin-mediated transcription of target genes.

Results

PRDX6 expression was markedly higher in NSCLC tissues than in adjacent tissues. Proliferation, invasion, and migration of A549 cells were promoted by overexpression of PRDX6 but inhibited by its silencing. PRDX6 overexpression inhibited the protein expression of both phosphorylated β-catenin and E-cadherin, as well as the expression of vimentin, TWIST, and downstream targets of β-catenin including c-MYC, TCF-4, and MMP14. Conversely, PRDX6 silencing markedly decreased the expression of c-MYC, TCF-4, and MMP14, and inhibited EMT in A549 cells. Overexpression of PRDX6 in vivo notably increased the volume and weight of tumors.

Conclusion

PRDX6 overexpression promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of A549 cells in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords:

• PRDX6
• non-small-cell lung cancer
• β-catenin
• metastasis
• epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The tumor and adjacent tissues of 40 NSCLC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were collected. Written informed consent was obtained from each registered patient, and the study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. The animal experiment complied with the “Regulations on the Management of Laboratory Animals” and the National Institutes of Health’s guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (153633).

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.