Blocking platelet-derived growth factor-d inhibits human lung cancer progression

Platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) is a kind of growth chemokine that regulates tumor growth and metastasis in various cancers. However, the function of this gene in lung cancer is little known. Here we found that PDGF-D is overexpressed in lung cancer tissue compared to adjacent tissue. Interestingly, the serum levels of PDGFD in lung cancer patients were significantly decreased after operation. Knockdown of PDGF-D using siRNA in lung cancer cells inhibits cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and decreased the activation of p-AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, silencing of PDGF-D in A549 cells remarkably reduced cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, PDGF-D knockdown significantly increased E-cadherin expression but decreased the expression of N-cadherin, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, our findings indicate that PDGF-D is involved in the progression of lung cancer growth, migration and invasion. Targeting PDGF-D with siRNA may provide a novel strategy for lung cancer therapy in patients with over-expressed PDGF-D.