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Vol 58, No 2 (2020)
Original paper
Submitted: 2019-11-14
Accepted: 2020-06-08
Published online: 2020-07-01
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Gamma linolenic acid suppresses hypoxia-induced gastric cancer cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway

Yan Wang1, Jian Shi1, Liya Gong1
·
Pubmed: 32608501
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2020;58(2):117-126.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Nutrition, The second hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, 050000, China

open access

Vol 58, No 2 (2020)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2019-11-14
Accepted: 2020-06-08
Published online: 2020-07-01

Abstract

Introduction. Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies in China and the fifth most common cancer in the world. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) was reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect and mechanism of GLA on gastric cancer cell growth under hypoxic conditions.

Material and methods. The hypoxia models of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells were established, and then were exposed to different concentrations of 50, 100 or 200 μM GLA. MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to investigate the effects of GLA treatment on gastric cancer cell growth under hypoxia (1% O2). The expression of apoptosis- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins was detected by qPCR and western blot.

Results. GLA treatment significantly decreased viability and inhibited colony formation (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells under hypoxia. Western blotting analysis showed that GLA treatment decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), microchromosome maintenance complex component 2 (MCM-2) and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, while increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). In addition, Wound healing analysis and Transwell assays showed that GLA treatment inhibited the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Western blotting analysis showed that GLA treatment increased the expression of epithelial marker proteins (g-catenin and E-cadherin), while decreased the expression of stromal and extracellular matrix marker proteins (fibronectin, Snail and b-catenin) (p < 0.01). Further analyses showed that GLA treatment decreased the expression of b-catenin in Wnt/b-catenin pathway (p < 0.01). Moreover, exogenous Wnt3a reversed the inhibitory effect of GLA on b-catenin expression, and further reversed the inhibitory effect of GLA on gastric cancer cell growth and EMT markers (p < 0.05, p < 0.01).

Conclusion. These findings suggest that GLA should be tested in animal models and in clinical studies as a potentially effective bioactive phytochemical substance for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Abstract

Introduction. Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies in China and the fifth most common cancer in the world. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) was reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect and mechanism of GLA on gastric cancer cell growth under hypoxic conditions.

Material and methods. The hypoxia models of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells were established, and then were exposed to different concentrations of 50, 100 or 200 μM GLA. MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to investigate the effects of GLA treatment on gastric cancer cell growth under hypoxia (1% O2). The expression of apoptosis- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins was detected by qPCR and western blot.

Results. GLA treatment significantly decreased viability and inhibited colony formation (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells under hypoxia. Western blotting analysis showed that GLA treatment decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), microchromosome maintenance complex component 2 (MCM-2) and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, while increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3) (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). In addition, Wound healing analysis and Transwell assays showed that GLA treatment inhibited the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 and MGC-803 cells in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). Western blotting analysis showed that GLA treatment increased the expression of epithelial marker proteins (g-catenin and E-cadherin), while decreased the expression of stromal and extracellular matrix marker proteins (fibronectin, Snail and b-catenin) (p < 0.01). Further analyses showed that GLA treatment decreased the expression of b-catenin in Wnt/b-catenin pathway (p < 0.01). Moreover, exogenous Wnt3a reversed the inhibitory effect of GLA on b-catenin expression, and further reversed the inhibitory effect of GLA on gastric cancer cell growth and EMT markers (p < 0.05, p < 0.01).

Conclusion. These findings suggest that GLA should be tested in animal models and in clinical studies as a potentially effective bioactive phytochemical substance for the treatment of gastric cancer.

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Keywords

Gamma linolenic acid; gastric cancer; SGC-7901 cells; MGC-803 cells; hypoxia; cell growth; Wnt/b-catenin; EMT; apoptosis

About this article
Title

Gamma linolenic acid suppresses hypoxia-induced gastric cancer cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 58, No 2 (2020)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

117-126

Published online

2020-07-01

Page views

1953

Article views/downloads

1339

DOI

10.5603/FHC.a2020.0012

Pubmed

32608501

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2020;58(2):117-126.

Keywords

Gamma linolenic acid
gastric cancer
SGC-7901 cells
MGC-803 cells
hypoxia
cell growth
Wnt/b-catenin
EMT
apoptosis

Authors

Yan Wang
Jian Shi
Liya Gong

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