CCL5 increases lung cancer migration via PI3K Akt and NF-κB pathways

CCL5 (previously called RANTES) is in the CC-chemokine family and plays a crucial role in the migration and metastasis of human cancer cells. Besides, integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells. Here we found CCL5 increased the migration and cell surface expression of alpha nu beta 3 integrin in human lung cancer cells (A549 cells). CCL5 stimulation increased phosphorylation of the p85 alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and serine 473 of Akt. Also, we found that PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002) or Akt inhibitor suppressed CCL5-induced migration activities and integrin expression of AS49 cells. Transfection. of cells with p85 or Akt mutant also reduced CCL5-mediated cancer migration. in addition, treatment of A549 cells with CCL5 induced I kappa B kinase alpha/beta (IKK alpha/beta) phosphorylation, I kappa B phosphorylation, p65 Ser(536) phosphorylation, and kappa B-luciferase activity. Furthermore, the CCL5-mediated increases in p65 Ser(536) phosphorylation were inhibited by Ly294002 and Akt inhibitor. Taken together, our results suggest that CCL5 acts through PI3K/Akt, which in turn activates IKK alpha/beta and NF-kappa B, resulting in the activation of alpha nu beta 3 integrin and contributing to the migration of human lung cancer cells. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.