Fucoxanthin induces apoptosis and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition via inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin pathway in lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Background Invasion and metastasis are hallmark characteristics of cancer and the main causes of death in cancer patients. Studies have shown that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays significant role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in seaweeds, has been proved to have anti-tumor effects. Our study aimed to research the role of fucoxanthin on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and EMT of two types of LUAD cells. Methods Cell migration and invasion were examined by Wound-healing and Transwell assays. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins, EMT-related proteins and β-catenin. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of β-catenin in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues and corresponding para-cancerous tissues. Results Our results revealed that fucoxanthin depressed the proliferation and induced apoptosis in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. Moreover, fucoxanthin reversed TGF-β1-induced EMT and cell motility. Meanwhile, we disclosed that fucoxanthin and XAV939 had similar effect on β-catenin, EMT protein and cell motility. What is more, immunohistochemical results revealed that the high expression rate and abnormal expression rate of β-catenin in cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in para-cancerous tissues. Conclusion Taken together, the findings of our research highlight a novel role for fucoxanthin in NSCLC cells, which might be a potentially effective anti-tumor agent for the treatment of LUAD patients.