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Protein-bound polysaccharide K reduced the invasive ability of colon cancer cell lines
Seiko Uwafuji1, Takanori Goi, Takayuki Naruse
1First Department of Surgery, University of Fukui, 23-3, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, Japan. tgoi@u-fukui.ac.jp.
Background/Aim:
A protein-bound polysaccharide, polysaccharide K (PSK), is a non-specific immunological agent used in the treatment of colon cancer, however few studies have investigated the genetic changes in cancer cells treated with PSK. Therefore, we investigated the effect of PSK on cancer cell invasion, which is an indicator for the malignancy of colon cancer cell lines, and performed additional genetic analyses.
Materials And Methods:
We performed Matrigel invasion assay to examine whether the invasive ability of colon cancer cell lines HT29, HCT116, and LoVo would be impacted upon stimulation with PSK. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to evaluate for changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and - 9 upon stimulation of colon cancer cell lines with PSK.
Results:
The mean number of invasive cells in untreated HCT116, HT29, and LoVo cells was 146, 81, and 65, respectively, while that in PSK-treated cell lines was reduced to 24, 7, and 4, respectively. mRNA levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in PSK-stimulated cell lines were significantly lower than those in unstimulated cell lines.
Conclusion:
PSK reduced the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 mRNAs and cell invasion of this panel of colon cancer cell lines.
Insights
Polysaccharide K (PSK) significantly reduces colon cancer cell invasion and lowers the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. This study explores PSK
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Polysaccharide K (PSK) is an immunological agent used in colon cancer treatment.
- Limited research exists on PSK's effects on cancer cell genetic alterations.
- Cancer cell invasion is a key indicator of colon cancer malignancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of PSK on colon cancer cell invasion.
- To analyze genetic changes, specifically matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, in response to PSK treatment.
Main Methods:
- Matrigel invasion assays were conducted on HT29, HCT116, and LoVo colon cancer cell lines.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression levels.
- Cell lines were stimulated with PSK to evaluate its effects.
Main Results:
- PSK treatment markedly reduced the invasive capacity of HCT116, HT29, and LoVo cells.
- Invasive cell counts decreased from 146, 81, and 65 to 24, 7, and 4, respectively, post-PSK treatment.
- PSK stimulation led to significantly lower mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared to unstimulated controls.
Conclusions:
- PSK effectively inhibits colon cancer cell invasion.
- PSK downregulates the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 at the mRNA level in colon cancer cell lines.
- These findings suggest PSK's potential as a therapeutic agent for reducing colon cancer metastasis.
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