The effect of Lfcin-B on non-small cell lung cancer H460 cells is mediated by inhibiting VEGF expression and inducing apoptosis

Arch Pharm Res. 2015 Feb;38(2):261-71. doi: 10.1007/s12272-014-0373-x. Epub 2014 Apr 2.

Abstract

Lfcin-B, an antimicrobial peptide found in various exocrine secretions of mammals, showed antitumor effects. However, the effect and relative mechanism of Lfcin-B on non-small cell lung cancer is unclear. In this study, assay of cell viability, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, annexin V/propidium iodide assay, flow cytometry and tumor-xenograft model were applied to elucidate the mechanism of Lfcin-B on non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H460 (H460) cells. Lfcin-B significantly suppressed the proliferation of H460 cells in vitro. Additionally, the transcription and translation of the VEGF gene in H460 cells were restrained after exposure to Lfcin-B. Moreover, the apoptosis of H460 cells was induced by Lfcin-B through stimulating caspase-3, caspase-9 and preventing survivin expression on both the transcription and translation level. Meanwhile, Lfcin-B increased the production of reactive oxygen species and suppressed the RNA of antioxidant enzymes (GPX1, GPX2, SOD3 and catalase) in H460 cells. Finally, Lfcin-B significantly prevented the tumor growth in the H460-bearing mice model. These results indicated that Lfcin-B could be a potential candidate for the treatment of lung cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lactoferrin / pharmacology*
  • Lactoferrin / therapeutic use
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice, Nude
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • lactoferricin B
  • Lactoferrin