Quorum-Sensing Regulator C8-HSL Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Cancer Cells by...

Lung microbiota has been proven to be closely related to lung cancer, but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that the quorum-sensing regulator C8-HSL, secreted by Gram-negative bacteria, could promote the proliferation of H460 lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. C8-HSL could also promote the migration and invasion of H460 cells. Moreover, C8-HSL promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of H460 cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/ERK pathway. C8-HSL promoted the cell cycle progression of H460 cells by upregulating the expression levels of CDC25A, c-MYC, p-GSK3β, p-Rb, and Cyclin E1, while downregulating the expression levels of p16 and p27. C8-HSL promoted the migration and invasion of H460 cells by upregulating the expression level of MMP9 and downregulating the expression level of E-cadherin. This is the first report of C8-HSL as a promoter of lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Taken together, C8-HSL is a potential risk factor for lung cancer, and strategies targeting C8-HSL-producing bacteria and monitoring C8-HSL concentrations may be beneficial for the prevention and control of lung cancer.