International Journal of Nanomedicine (Feb 2012)

Gambogic acid-loaded magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles inhibit Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration by inactivating transcription factor ETS1

  • Wang C,
  • Zhang H,
  • Chen Y,
  • Shi F,
  • Chen B

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2012, no. default
pp. 781 – 787

Abstract

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Cailian Wang1, Haijun Zhang1, Yan Chen1, Fangfang Shi1, Baoan Chen2,31Department of Oncology, 2Department of Hematology, Zhongda Hospital, 3Faculty of Oncology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of ChinaBackground: E26 transformation-specific sequence-1 (ETS1) transcription factor plays important roles in both carcinogenesis and the progression of a wide range of malignancies. Aberrant ETS1 expression correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and a poorer prognosis in patients with various malignancies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a drug delivery system utilizing gambogic acid-loaded magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (GA-MNP- Fe3O4) on the suppression of ETS1-mediated cell proliferation and migration in Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells.Methods: The effects caused by GA-MNP- Fe3O4 on the proliferation of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated using a MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay while inhibition of tumor cell migration was investigated in a scratch assay. The expressions of ETS1, cyclin D1, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) were examined by Western blot to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved.Results: In Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells, we observed that application of GA-MNP- Fe3O4 was able to suppress cancer cell proliferation and prevent cells from migrating effectively. After treatment, Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells showed significantly decreased expression of ETS1, as well as its downstream target genes for cyclin D1, u-PA, and VEGF.Conclusion: Our novel finding reaffirmed the significance of ETS1 in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, and application of GA-MNP- Fe3O4 nanoparticles targeting ETS1 should be considered as a promising contribution for better pancreatic cancer care.Keywords: ETS1 transcription factor, gambogic acid, pancreatic cancer, magnetic nanoparticles