Effects of sodium selenite on migration and angiogenesis of lung cancer cells and its mechanism.

AIM: To investigate the effects of sodium selenite (SS) on viability, migration and angiogenesis of human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H520 and A549 cells. METHODS: The H520 cells, A549 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were divided into control group (0 μmol/L SS), low dose group (5 μmol/L SS), middle dose group (10 μmol/L SS), and high dose group (20 μmol/L SS). Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Cell migration and invasion abilities were determined through wound healing and Transwell assays. The regulatory effects of SS on angiogenesis, vasculogenic mimicry and "mosaic" vascular formation between HUVEC and NSCLC cells were detected using vessel forming assays. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the supernatant of lung cancer cells in each group was detected using chemiluminescence. RT-qPCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and angiotensin II (Ang II). Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of VEGF, p-PI3K, and p-Akt in H520 and A549 cells. RESULTS : The IC50 values of SS to HUVEC, A549 cells and H520 cells for 48 h were 6. 762, 9. 003 and 7. 356 μmol/L, respectively. Compared with control group, the wound healing rate was significantly decreased in each group treated with SS for 48 h (p<0. 01). In HUVEC, the number of migrating cells in middle dose and high dose groups decreased (p<0. 01), whereas in lung cancer cells, the number of migrating cells in each group decreased after SS treatment (p<0. 01). The mRNA expression levels of VEGF, VEGFR2 and Ang II were lower in high-dose SS group than those in control group (p<0. 05 or p<0. 01). In H520 cells, compared with control group, the protein levels of VEGF, p-PI3K and p-Akt in SS treatment groups were significantly decreased (p<0. 05 or p< 0. 01). CONCLUSION: Sodium selenite inhibits the viability and migration of HUVEC, H520 cells and A549 cells, and inhibits the formation of vasculogenic mimicry and mosaic vessels in NSCLC cells. This mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway activation and regulation of VEGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]