Semaphorin 6A Attenuates the Migration Capability of Lung Cancer Cells via the NRF2/HMOX1 Axis

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 16;9(1):13302. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49874-8.

Abstract

Cell migration is a fundamental feature of cancer recurrence. Since recurrence is correlated with high mortality in lung cancer, it follows that reducing cell migration would decrease recurrence and increase survival rates. Semaphorin-6A (SEMA6A), a protein initially known as a regulator of axonal guidance, is down-regulated in lung cancer tissue, and low levels of SEMA6A are associated with cancer recurrence. Thus, we hypothesized that SEMA6A could suppress cancer cell migration. In this study, we found that the migration capability of H1299 lung cancer cells decreased with SEMA6A overexpression, while it increased with SEMA6A silencing. Moreover, silencing of the cellular homeostasis protein Heme-oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and/or the transcription factor Nuclear Factor, Erythroid-2-Like-2 (NRF2) reversed the migration-suppressing effect of SEMA6A and the SEMA6A-driven alterations in expression of urokinase insulin-like-growth-factor-binding-protein-3, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP9, the downstream effectors of HMOX1. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SEMA6A is a potential suppressor of cancer migration that functions through the NRF2/HMOX1 axis. Our results explain why low SEMA6A is linked to high recurrence in the clinical setting and suggest that SEMA6A could be useful as a biomarker or target in lung cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heme Oxygenase-1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Semaphorins / biosynthesis
  • Semaphorins / genetics
  • Semaphorins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • SEMA6A protein, human
  • Semaphorins
  • HMOX1 protein, human
  • Heme Oxygenase-1