Ursolic Acid Attenuates TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in NSCLC by Targeting Integrin αVβ5/MMPs Signaling

Oncol Res. 2019 May 7;27(5):593-600. doi: 10.3727/096504017X15051723858706. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may contribute to tumor metastasis. TGF-β1-induced EMT in H1975 cells (a human NSCLC cell line) resulted in the adoption of mesenchymal responses that were predominantly mediated via the TGF-β1-integrin signaling pathway. Ursolic acid has been previously reported to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in several cancers. However, whether ursolic acid can attenuate TGF-β1-induced EMT in H1975 cells and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, ursolic acid significantly attenuated the TGF-β1-induced decrease in E-cadherin level and elevated the level of N-cadherin. Furthermore, ursolic acid inhibited the mesenchymal-like responses in H1975 cells, including cell migration, invasion, and activity of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-2 and -9. Finally, our new findings provided evidence that ursolic acid could inhibit EMT in NSCLC through TGF-β1 signaling pathway-mediated integrin αVβ5 expression, and this might be the potential mechanism of resveratrol on the inhibition of invasion and metastases in NSCLC. We conclude that ursolic acid attenuated TGF-β1-induced EMT in H1975 cells and thus might be a promising therapeutic agent for treating NSCLC.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Receptors, Vitronectin / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism*
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Ursolic Acid

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Cadherins
  • Receptors, Vitronectin
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Triterpenes
  • integrin alphaVbeta5
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9