
Asia Pacific Academy of Science Pte. Ltd. (APACSCI) specializes in international journal publishing. APACSCI adopts the open access publishing model and provides an important communication bridge for academic groups whose interest fields include engineering, technology, medicine, computer, mathematics, agriculture and forestry, and environment.

Based on the MAPK/NF-κB Pathway, Ezrin Regulates Macrophage M1/M2 Polarization in the Progression of Prostate Cancer and its Mechanism
Vol 38, Issue 5, 2024
Download PDF
Abstract
Background: Ezrin exhibits aberrant expression across diverse cancer types and significantly contributes to cancer initiation and advancement. However, the precise mechanism by which Ezrin regulates M1/M2 macrophage polarization in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role and mechanism of Ezrin in regulating M1/M2 macrophage polarization in PCa. Methods: Initially, Ezrin levels were evaluated in transfected cells using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), followed by Western blotting (WB) to evaluate Ezrin expression levels in PCa PC-3 cells overexpressing Ezrin and treated with the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway inhibitors PD0325901 and BAY11-7082. Colony formation and Transwell assays were used to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Additionally, its effects on levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers (E-cadherin, ZO-1, Vimentin, Snail Slug, β-Catenin) and pathway-associated proteins were examined. Subsequently, transfected PC-3 cells were co-cultured with macrophages, and the expression of Cluster of Differentiation 206 (CD206) and CD86 in macrophages was assessed using flow cytometry and RT-qPCR. The expressions of M1/M2 markers (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-10, Arg1) in macrophages were also detected by RT-qPCR. Finally, the impact of PD0325901 and BAY11-7082 on macrophage polarization after Ezrin overexpression was investigated. Results: Ezrin expression decreased in the si-Ezrin group and increased in the oe-Ezrin group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Overexpression of Ezrin heightened Ezrin expression, increased proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of PC-3 cells, enhanced EMT transition ability, and upregulated pathway-related proteins compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, expression of Ezrin decreased in the oe-Ezrin+PD0325901 group and oe-Ezrin+BAY11-7082 group compared to Ezrin overexpression alone, inhibiting the growth and migration capabilities of PC-3 cells, reducing the expression of EMT markers, and suppressing the activation of the MAPK/NF-κB pathway (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, cells in the si-Ezrin group exhibited an increase in CD86, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS, meanwhile, those in the oe-Ezrin group displayed a rise in CD206, IL-10, and Arg1 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the addition of pathway inhibitors PD0325901 and BAY11-7082 resulted in reduced CD206, IL-10, and Arg1 expression, while enhancing CD86, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS expression compared to the oe-Ezrin group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ezrin facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of PCa cells by activating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway. Additionally, Ezrin induces M2 polarization of macrophages, exacerbating the progression of PCa.
Keywords
References
Supporting Agencies
Copyright (c) 2024 Tengfei Zhang, Xu Lei, Tao Jiang, Zhixuan Deng, Botao Dong, Ning Yang
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Medical Genetics, University of Torino Medical School, Italy

Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy