CD36 mediates palmitate acid-induced metastasis of gastric cancer via AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

Fei Yuan¹  Chen Li²  Jiaomeng Pan²  Zhen Xiang²  Zhenggang Zhu²  Bingya Liu²  Qingqiang Dai²  Min Yan²  Zhenqiang Wang²  Zhiyuan Fan² 

[1] Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine;Department of Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine;

关键词: CD36;    Palmitate acid;    Gastric cancer;    Metastasis;    AKT;    GSK-3β;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13046-019-1049-7

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) has a clear predilection for metastasis toward the omentum which is primarily composed of adipose tissue, indicating that fatty acids may contribute to this phenomenon. However their function remains poorly understood in GC. In this study, we investigated the role of palmitate acid (PA) and its cellular receptor CD36 in the progression of GC. Methods Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to detect CD36 expression in GC tissues and its clinical significance was determined statistically. CD36 over-expression and knock-down expression cell models were developed and tested in vitro. Wound-healing assays, migration assays, and invasion assays were performed and peritoneal implants into nude mice were done to assess the biological effects of PA and CD36. The underlying mechanisms were investigated using western blot, immunofluorescence (IF), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and antibody blocking assays. Results PA promoted the metastasis of GC by phosphorylation of AKT, which facilitated the nuclear localization of β-catenin through inactivation of GSK-3β via phosphorylation. This tumor-promoting effect of PA was mediated by CD36, a cell surface receptor of fatty acids (FAs). The higher the CD36 expression levels in GC tissues correlated with the poorer the prognosis of patients according to the TCGA database, the GEO database and our own clinical data. Conclusions Our experiments established CD36 as a key mediator of FA-induced metastasis of GC via the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. CD36 might, therefore, constitute a potential therapeutic target for clinical intervention in GC.

【 授权许可】

Unknown