Integrin beta 1 enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in association with gefitinib resistance of non-small cell lung cancer.

We have previously shown that integrinβ1 associates with gefitinib resistance. As epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) also induces gefitinib resistance in vitro, we wished to determine the relation of them in gefitinib resistance. In this study, we show that integrinβ1 induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in xenograft tumors and gefitinib-resistant NSCLC tumors acquired EMT phenotype. Furthermore, inhibition of integrinβ1 reverses EMT, meanwhile overexpression and activation of integrinβ1 aggravates EMT. Lastly, we further identified that integrinβ1 enhanced EMT via FAK-AKT signaling pathway. These findings highlight a novel relation of integrinβ1 and EMT in EGFR TKI resistant NSCLC.