CSF2 Impairs Nrf2 Signaling Through Akt/Mtor Pathway in the Development of Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Cancer of the bladder (BCa) is one of the most common cancer of the urinary system.Colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) was involved in lots of cancers, but BCa. We examined the effect of CSF2 on BCa in this study and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods CSF2 mRNA levels in BCa were analyzed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Western blot was conducted to verify BCa tissue samples and cell lines expressing CSF2. The effect on growth of CSF2 was assessed by CCK8 and colony formation. To determine the migration and invasion capabilities of BCa cells, transwell analysis and wound healing assays were conducted. Next, western blot was used to explore the underlying mechanism. In the end, a xenografted BCa mouse model was established to examine CSF2 effects on tumorigenesis in vivo. Results These experiments showed CSF2 mRNA was upregulated in BCa samples. BCa proliferation and tumorigenesis were significantly inhibited in vitro and in vivo by CSF2 knockdown. Mechanism analysis revealed that BCa cells were inhibited from proliferating and invading when CSF2 was knocked down via AKT/mTOR signaling. Conclusions Based on these results, CSF2 promotes proliferation and tumorigenesis of BCa.