Open Access

Hispidulin modulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells

  • Authors:
    • Hyun A. Kim
    • Joomin Lee
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 31, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12416
  • Article Number: 155
  • Copyright: © Kim et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Despite the use of chemotherapeutic drugs, drug resistance has been observed in numerous patients with breast cancer. Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important initiation step in the process of metastasis, whereby cancer cells move away from the original tumor site. Therefore, the discovery of new substances that suppress EMT is a promising avenue for cancer treatment. The present study investigated the effect of hispidulin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, on EMT in human breast cancer cells in vitro (MCF‑7 and HCC38). The EMT‑associated mRNA and protein expression levels were measured using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR or western blot analysis. Hispidulin treatment increased the expression levels of EMT‑associated epithelial markers and decreased the expression levels of mesenchymal markers in both cells. Transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1) treatment increased breast cancer cell viability (assessed via MTS assay) and EMT induction. However, hispidulin and TGF‑β1 co‑treatment increased the expression levels of E‑cadherin and occludin, while downregulating vimentin expression. Additionally, hispidulin treatment inhibited TGF‑β1‑induced Smad2/3 signaling and cell migration in both breast cancer cell lines. Overall, the current findings suggested that hispidulin may inhibit EMT and cell migration by suppressing the Smad2/3 signaling pathway in breast cancer cells.
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February-2021
Volume 21 Issue 2

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Kim HA and Lee J: Hispidulin modulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. Oncol Lett 21: 155, 2021.
APA
Kim, H.A., & Lee, J. (2021). Hispidulin modulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. Oncology Letters, 21, 155. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12416
MLA
Kim, H. A., Lee, J."Hispidulin modulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells". Oncology Letters 21.2 (2021): 155.
Chicago
Kim, H. A., Lee, J."Hispidulin modulates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells". Oncology Letters 21, no. 2 (2021): 155. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12416