EZH2 promotes tumor progression via regulating VEGF-A/AKT signaling in non-small cell lung cancer

J Geng, X Li, Z Zhou, CL Wu, X Bai, M Dai - Cancer Letters, 2015 - Elsevier
J Geng, X Li, Z Zhou, CL Wu, X Bai, M Dai
Cancer Letters, 2015Elsevier
Abstract Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) accounts for aggressiveness and
unfavorable prognosis of tumor. We investigated the mechanisms and signaling pathways of
EZH2 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) progression. Increased expression of
EZH2, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and AKT phosphorylation correlated
with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, size and TNM stage in NSCLC. There was a
positive correlation between EZH2 and VEGF-A expression and high EZH2 expression, as …
Abstract
Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) accounts for aggressiveness and unfavorable prognosis of tumor. We investigated the mechanisms and signaling pathways of EZH2 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) progression. Increased expression of EZH2, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and AKT phosphorylation correlated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, size and TNM stage in NSCLC. There was a positive correlation between EZH2 and VEGF-A expression and high EZH2 expression, as an independent prognostic factor, predicted a shorter overall survival time for NSCLC patients. The expression of VEGF-A and phosphorylated Ser473-AKT, cell proliferation, migration and metastasis were enhanced in EZH2-overexpressing A549 cells, but inhibited in parental H2087 cells with EZH2 silencing or GSK126 treatment. AKT activity was enhanced by recombinant human VEGF-165 but suppressed by bevacizumab. An AKT inhibitor MK-2206 blocked VEGF-A expression and AKT phosphorylation in parental H2087 and EZH2-overexpressing A549 cells. EZH2 activity was not affected by either VEGF-A stimulation/depletion or MK-2206 inhibition. These results demonstrate that EZH2 promotes lung cancer progression via the VEGF-A/AKT signaling pathway.
Elsevier