Integrin β3 and LKB1 are independently involved in the inhibition of proliferation by lovastatin in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Abstract

Human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are one of the most difficult cancers to treat. In our study, Lovastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, demonstrated anticancer properties by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, cell migration and cell adhesion. Lovastatin inhibited the expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. Furthermore, lovastatin inhibited the expressions of integrin β1 and integrin β3 but not integrin αv or integrin β5. While Lovastatin's inhibitory effects on TGFβ1, COX2, and ICAM-1 expression were independently controlled by the tumor suppressor LKB1, integrin β3 expression was not affected. Lovastatin's inhibitory effect on cell adhesion was associated with the decreased expression of integrin β3 and cell surface heterodimer integrin αvβ3. Quantitative real time PCR, fluorescent microscopy, and cell migration assays all confirmed that Lovastatin inhibits integrin αvβ3 downstream signaling including FAK activation, and β-catenin, vimentin, ZO-1, and β-actin. Overall, Lovastatin reduced tumor cell proliferation and migration by modifying the expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and other critical cellular processes. Our study highlights novel anti-cancer properties of Lovastatin and supports further exploration of statins in the context of cholangiocarcinoma therapy.

• Authors: Sheng-Huei Yang, Hung-Yun Lin, Chun A Changou, Chun-Han Chen, Yun-Ru Liu, Jinghan Wang, Xiaoqing Jiang, Frank Luh, Yun Yen
• Journal: Oncotarget (Oncotarget) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 362-73 (Jan 05 2016) ISSN: 1949-2553 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26517522 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Integrin beta3
• beta Catenin
• Lovastatin
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
• STK11 protein, human
• AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases

Topics

• AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
• Bile Duct Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects, genetics)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Movement (drug effects, genetics)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects, genetics)
• Cholangiocarcinoma (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Immunoblotting
• Integrin beta3 (genetics, metabolism)
• Lovastatin (pharmacology)
• Microscopy, Confocal
• Microscopy, Fluorescence
• Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA Interference
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Signal Transduction (drug effects, genetics)
• beta Catenin (genetics, metabolism)