S-D Su1, S-G Cong, Y-K Bi, D-D Gao. 1. Department of ICU, Daqing Oilfield General Hospital, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China. 540672122@qq.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether paraquat (PQ)-induced rat alveolar type II cells (RLE-6TN) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, RLE-6TN cells were treated by 20 μmol/L PQ, and then the morphology was observed under an inverted microscope; RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression level of EMT related markers, E-cadherin, and vimentin, as well as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, we performed the transwell invasion assay to detect the ability of cell invasion. RESULTS: We demonstrated that PQ was able to induce the transition of RLE-6TN cells from epithelial morphology to fibroblast-like morphology, associated with the acquisition of migratory properties. Phenotypically, PQ induced-EMT was characterized by loss of epithelial cell markers including E-cadherin, while upregulation of mesenchymal cell markers including vimentin, was concurrent with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of β-catenin by using specific siRNA could reverse PQ triggered EMT process and attenuated cell migration ability. CONCLUSIONS: PQ promotes RLE-6TN epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating the expression of Wnt/β-catenin.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether paraquat (PQ)-induced rat alveolar type II cells (RLE-6TN) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to explore the underlying molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, RLE-6TN cells were treated by 20 μmol/L PQ, and then the morphology was observed under an inverted microscope; RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression level of EMT related markers, E-cadherin, and vimentin, as well as Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, we performed the transwell invasion assay to detect the ability of cell invasion. RESULTS: We demonstrated that PQ was able to induce the transition of RLE-6TN cells from epithelial morphology to fibroblast-like morphology, associated with the acquisition of migratory properties. Phenotypically, PQ induced-EMT was characterized by loss of epithelial cell markers including E-cadherin, while upregulation of mesenchymal cell markers including vimentin, was concurrent with the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, knockdown of β-catenin by using specific siRNA could reverse PQ triggered EMT process and attenuated cell migration ability. CONCLUSIONS:PQ promotes RLE-6TN epithelial-mesenchymal transition by upregulating the expression of Wnt/β-catenin.