LIMK1 promotes the progression of cervical cancer by up-regulating the ROS/Src pathway
Objective To explore the effect of LIMK1 on the progression of cervical cancer(CC).Methods HeLa and C-33A human cervical cancer cells overexpressing LIMK1 were established and injected subcutaneously into nude mice.The tumor volume was measured and expression of NOX2,NOX4,p-Src,p-RUNX3,RUNX3,and MMP-9 proteins in tumor cells was detected by Western blot assays.LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa and C-33A cells were cultured in 5%O2 with antioxidants.The protein expression of LIMK1,NOX4,p-Src,p-RUNX3,RUNX3 and MMP-9 in the cells was detected by Western blot assays.Cell migration was assessed by a scratch assay.Transwell assays were used to assess cell migration and invasion.A monoclonal proliferation assay was used to assess cell proliferation.Results The tumor volume in nude mice injected with LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa cells was increased significantly,and NOX2,NOX4,p-Src,p-RUNX3 and MMP-9 protein levels were increased,while RUNX3 protein expression was decreased.In LIMK1-overexpressing HeLa and C-33A cells,the protein expression of LIMK1,NOX4,p-Src,p-RUNX3,and MMP-9 was increased,RUNX3 protein expression was decreased,and cell migration,invasion,and proliferation were increased.However,after adding antioxidants,the expression levels of NOX4,p-Src,p-RUNX3,RUNX3 and MMP-9 proteins,and cell migration,invasion,and proliferation were not different from those of control cells.Conclusions LIMK1 promotes the progression of cervical cancer by enhancing the ROS/Src pathway,thereby promoting the migration,invasion,and proliferation of cervical cancer cells.