Critical contribution of MCL-1 in EMT-associated chemo-resistance in A549 non-small cell lung cancer

Int J Oncol. 2015 Apr;46(4):1844-8. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2861. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death in all lung cancer patients due to its metastatic spread. Even though cisplatin treatment after surgical resection of the primary tumor has been established as a standard chemotherapy for residual disease including metastatic spread, NSCLC often acquires a resistance against chemotherapy, and metastatic disease is often observed. Amongst many potential mechanisms, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been considered as an important process in acquiring both metastatic spread and chemo-resistance of NSCLC. In this study, we identified MCL-1 as a critical molecule for chemo-resistance in A549 cells associated with TGF-β-induced EMT. Importantly, downregulation of MCL-1 by siRNA or inhibition of MCL-1 with pan-BCL2 inhibitor to inhibit MCL-1 was able to overcome the EMT-associated chemo-resistance in A549 cells. Collectively, MCL-1 can be a new therapeutic target for overcoming EMT-associated chemo-resistance in NSCLC patients in the context of post-operative chemotherapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / genetics*
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology

Substances

  • BCL2-related protein A1
  • MCL1 protein, human
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Cisplatin