Human leptin protein induces proliferation of A549 cells via inhibition of PKR-like ER kinase and activating transcription factor-6 mediated apoptosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the anti-apoptotic mechanism of leptin in non-small cell lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The influences of leptin on apoptosis were investigated, analyzing the mechanism that triggers growth of A549 cells. The effects of leptin on cell proliferation were examined by XTT analysis. Leptin, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), phosphorylated-PKR-like ER kinase (p-Perk), inositol requiring proteins-1, spliced X-box transcription factor-1 (XBP1), cleaved activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α, caspase-12 and CHOP protein were detected in four groups by western blot, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress related mRNA were detected by reverse transcription PCR.

RESULTS: The expression of leptin in A549 and leptin transfected cells inhibited cisplatin activated ER stress-associated mRNA transcription and protein activation. Two ER stress unfolded protein response pathways, PERK and ATF6, were involved, and XBP1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) were increased significantly when treated with cisplatin in A549-siRNA against leptin cells. Furthermore, CHOP expression was inhibited upon leptin expression in A549, LPT-PeP and LPT-EX cells.

CONCLUSION: Leptin serves as an important factor that promotes the growth of A549 cells through blocking ER stress-mediated pathways. This blocking is triggered by p-Perk and ATF6 via inhibition of CHOP expression.