Phenethyl isothiocyanate inhibits the migration and invasion of colon cancer SW480 cells via the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9

This study is to investigate the effect of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on the invasion and metastasis of colon cancer. SW480 cells were cultured with PEITC for 24 h. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were used to determine cell invasion and migration, respectively. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity was determined using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The qRT-PCR was performed to measure MMP-9 mRNA expression. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of PI3K and PTEN, the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). NF-kappa B activity was tested using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Mouse model was constructed to investigate the effect of PEITC on xenograft tumor growth. SW480 cell invasion and migration were inhibited by PEITC within toxicity-free dose ranges, as demonstrated by scratch healing assay and transwell membrane assay. Molecular data showed that the effect of PEITC also inhibited the enzymatic activity and mRNA expression of MMP-9. In addition, PEITC inhibited the expression of PI3K, as well as the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR, and up-regulated the expression of PTEN. PEITC-inhibited MMP-9 expression or activity appeared to occur via NF-kappa B as long as its nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity was suppressed by PEITC. Furthermore, PEITC inhibited xenograft tumor growth in mice. PEITC is a potential drug for the treatment of colon cancer metastasis. It exerts its effect by regulating PI3K/Akt and nuclear factor-kappa B pathways.