Journal of Inflammation Research (Dec 2021)
Interleukin -1β Promotes Lung Adenocarcinoma Growth and Invasion Through Promoting Glycolysis via p38 Pathway
Abstract
Qi Tan,* Limin Duan,* Qi Huang,* Wenjuan Chen,* Zimo Yang, Jiangbin Chen, Yang Jin Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases of Health Ministry, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yang JinDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases of Health Ministry, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-135-5436-1146Fax +86-27-85755457Email [email protected]: There is a close relationship among inflammation, glycolysis, and tumors. The IL-1 family includes important inflammatory cytokines, among which IL-1β has been widely studied. In this study, we focused on the effect of IL-1β on glycolysis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells in vivo and in vitro and explored its possible mechanisms.Methods: A bioinformatic database and quantitative real-time PCR were used to analyze the expression of glycolysis-related enzyme genes and their correlations with IL1β in human LUAD samples. The human LUAD cell line A549 and Lewis lung carcinoma LLC cell line were stimulated with IL-1β. In vitro treatment effects, including glycolysis level, migration, and invasion were evaluated with a glucose assay kit, lactate assay kit, Western blotting, wound healing, and the transwell method. We established a mouse model of subcutaneous tumors using LLC cells pretreated with IL-1β and analyzed in vivo treatment effects through positron-emission tomography-computed tomography and staining. Virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulation were used to screen potential inhibitors of IL-1β.Results: Our results showed that IL1β was positively correlated with the expression of glycolysis-related enzyme genes in LUAD. Glycolysis, migration, and invasion significantly increased in A549 and LLC stimulated with IL-1β. In vivo, IL-1β increased growth, mean standard uptake value, and pulmonary tumor metastasis, which were inhibited by the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose and p38-pathway inhibitors. Small molecular compound ZINC14610053 was suggested being a potential inhibitor of IL-1β.Conclusion: IL-1β promotes glycolysis of LUAD cells through p38 signaling, further enhancing tumor-cell migration and invasion. These results show that IL-1β links inflammation to glycolysis in LUAD, and targeting IL-1β and the glycolysis pathway may be a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.Keywords: interleukin 1β, glycolysis, lung adenocarcinoma, p38 signaling
