Inhibition of tumor invasion and metastasis by targeting TGF-β-Smad-MMP2 pathway with Asiatic acid and Naringenin.

ABSTRACT: Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) has been shown to promote tumor invasion and metastasis by activating the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); however, signaling mechanisms remain controversial and therapies targeting MMPs are still suboptimal. In the present study, we found that combined therapy with Asiatic acid (AA), a Smad7 agonist, and Naringenin (NG), a Smad3 inhibitor, effectively retrieved the balance between Smad3 and Smad7 signaling in the TGF-β-rich tumor microenvironment and thus significantly suppressed tumor invasion and metastasis in mouse models of melanoma and lung carcinoma. Mechanistically, we unraveled that Smad3 acted as a transcriptional activator of MMP2 and as a transcriptional suppressor of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) via binding to 5' UTR of

SUBMITTER: Lian GY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7873580 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature