Epithelial-mesenchymal transition contributes to docetaxel resistance in human non-small cell lung cancer

Oncol Res. 2014;22(1):47-55. doi: 10.3727/096504014X14098532393473.

Abstract

Lung cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. Chemotherapy has always been the principal treatment measure, but its acquired resistance becomes a critical problem. In the current study, we established a new docetaxel-resistant human non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549/Docetaxel. The resistance index (RI) of A549/Docetaxel cells and A549 induced by TGF-β to docetaxel were 8.91 and 11.5, respectively. Compared to the parental A549 cells, the multiplication time of A549/Docetaxel was prolonged, the proportion of the cell cycle in the S phase decreased while that in the G1 phase increased, and apoptotic rate was much lower. The morphology of the resistant cells eventuated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was confirmed by the higher expression of fibronectin, vimentin (mesenchymal markers), and lower expression of E-cadherin (epithelial marker) at mRNA and proteins levels. Furthermore, the representative markers for docetaxel resistance were examined, including ABCB1 (MDR1), Bcl-2, Bax, and tubulin, to figure out the mechanisms of the resistance of A549/Docetaxel. In summary, we have established a typical docetaxel-resistant human NSCLC cell line A549/Docetaxel, and it was suggested that the multidrug resistance of A549/Docetaxel was related to EMT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Growth Processes
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Docetaxel
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / physiology
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Taxoids / pharmacology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Vimentin / metabolism
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cadherins
  • Fibronectins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Taxoids
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Tubulin
  • Vimentin
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Docetaxel