Effects of Lipocalin-2 gene silen cing on the expression of MMP-9 and the metastasis and invasion abilities of human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2016.02.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of gene silencing of Lipocalin-2 on the expression of MMP-9 and metastasis and invasion abilities of human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro. Methods The expression levels of Lipocalin-2 mRNA and protein in 3 kinds of human lung cancer cell lines(A549,NCI-H661,NCI-H446)and healthy human bronchial epithelial cells(HBE)were detected by Real-time PCR and Western Blot,respectively. The targeting Lipocalin-2 siRNA was established and transfected into A549 cells via lentivirus. Transfection efficiency and the expression levels of MMP-9 mRNA and protein were detected by Real-time PCR and Western Blot. Moreover the invasive ability and migration ability of A549 cells were detected by Transwell assay and scratch test,respectively. Results The expression levels of Lipocalin-2 mRNA and protein in A549,NCI-H661,NCI-H446 cells were significantly higher than those in HBE cells( P < 0. 05),furthermore, there were significant differences in the expression levels of Lipocalin-2 mRNA and protein between siRNA-Lipocalin-2 transfection group and negative control group as well as empty vector control group( P < 0. 05). Besides there were significant differences in the cell number with membrane tresis and average migration distance between siRNA-Lipocalin-2 transfection group and negative control group as well as empty vector control group( P < 0. 05). Conclusion Lipocalin-2 gene silencing can decrease metastasis and invasion abilities of human lung cancer A549 cells in vitro through down-regulating the expression levels of MMP-9.