OncoTargets and Therapy (Sep 2019)
Irisin functions to inhibit malignant growth of human pancreatic cancer cells via downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Abstract
Deguo Zhang,1,2 Ping Zhang,3 Luan Li,2 Nan Tang,1,2 Fei Huang,2,4 Xianguo Kong,5 Xueying Tan,2,* Guangjun Shi,2,* 1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Qingdao Chengyang District People’s Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Gastrointestinal Hernia Surgery, Qianxinan People’s Hospital, Xingyi 562400, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China; 5Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 19107, PA, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xueying Tan; Guangjun ShiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, No 1, Jiao Zhou Road, Shibei District, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 185 6269 2818; Tel +86 186 6167 5603Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Irisin is a newly identified cytokine that has gained increasing attention because of its potential therapeutic applications in metabolic diseases and human cancers. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that irisin plays an important role in the development and metastasis of various tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms of irisin on malignant growth of pancreatic cancer cells.Materials and methods: The anti-proliferative effect of irisin was examined using the CCK-8 assay. Irisin-induced apoptosis was determined by the annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. The effects of irisin on cell migration and invasion were assessed using the scratch-induced wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The expression and phosphorylation of signaling proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.Results: Our results showed that irisin inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, irisin decreased the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed that irisin downregulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that irisin is a novel therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer.Keywords: irisin, pancreatic cancer, cell growth, migration, apoptosis
