Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 enhances carcinogenesis by suppressing apoptosis and promoting autophagy in nickel-transformed cells.

ABSTRACT: Nickel-containing compounds are widely used in industry. Nickel is a known human carcinogen that primarily affects the lungs. Proposed mechanisms of nickel-induced carcinogenesis include disruption of cellular iron homeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induction of hypoxia signaling. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of nickel-induced malignant transformation and tumor development remain unclear. This study shows that the transcription factor Nrf2 is highly expressed in lung tumor tissue and in nickel-transformed human lung bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells (NiT cells). Additionally, constitutively high levels of Nrf2 play a critical role in apoptosis resistance in NiT cells. Basal ROS levels were extremely low in NiT cells and were correlated with elevated

SUBMITTER: Son YO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5437238 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature