Wheatgrass extract inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cells.
- Author:
Nam Yong DO
1
;
Hyun Jae SHIN
;
Ji Eun LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Triticum; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; sinusitis; hypoxia inducible factor 1; cadherins
- MeSH: Adenocarcinoma; Anoxia; Cadherins; Epithelial Cells; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; Immunoblotting; Lung; Neoplasm Metastasis; Sinusitis; Snails; Triticum
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2017;11(2):83-89
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions (CO₂ 5%/O₂ 1%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and 150 µg/mL) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-1α and the pSmad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.
