Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the effect of Prdx 1 on lung cancer by investigating its expression and role in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation. Methods:The relationship between VM existence and Prdx1 expression was detected and analyzed by CD31/PAS du-al staining and immunohistochemical staining. A 549 and H1299cells were transfected with Prdx 1-expressing plasmids to induce exoge-nous Prdx1 protein expression. Changes in the expression levels of Prdx1, EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin and Vimentin), VM-related proteins (VE-cadherin and VEGF), and P38MAPK signaling-related proteins (P38and P-P38) were detected by Western blot after trans -fection. Furthermore, changes in the expression levels of P 38MAPK signaling-related proteins (P38and P-P38) and VM-related protein (VEGF) in A 549 -Prdx1 cells were detected by Western blot after using SB 203580. The effects of Prdx 1 gene transfection on migration capacity were determined by an in vitro wound-healing assay, whereas the role of Prdx1 transfection in invasive potential was deter -mined by an invasion assay. The role of Prdx 1 transfection on tube structure formation potential was determined by three-dimensional culture. Results: Immunohistochemistry staining showed that Prdx 1 expression was positively associated with VM, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Western blot showed that after Prdx 1 was increased, E- cadherin expression was downregulated, whereas Vimentin, VE- cadherin, VEGF, and P- P38expression levels were upregulated in A 549 cells. Moreover, P38expression was unchanged. Wound healing, invasion, and three-dimensional culture assays showed that the migration, invasion, and tube structure formation potentials of A 549 cells significantly increased, whereas suppressing Prdx1 in H 1299cells yielded the opposite results. After adding the P38MAPK pathway inhibitor, VEGF and P- P38expression levels decreased as inhibitor dosage increased, whereas P 38expression remained the same. Conclusion: Prdx 1, which is highly expressed in lung cancer specimens, was closely associated with VM. This association may promote VM formation via P 38MAPK signaling.