Objective:

2

To investigate the mechanism by which Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin (SMY) reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells CNE-2R.

Methods:

2

Morphological changes in EMT in CNE-2R cells were observed under a microscope

and the expressions of EMT markers were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assays. Through the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset and text mining

LCN2 was found to be highly related to radiation resistance and EMT in NPC. The expressions of LCN2 and EMT markers following SMY treatment (50 and 100 μg/mL) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot assays

in vitro

. Cell proliferation

migration

and invasion abilities were measured using colony formation

wound healing

and transwell invasion assays

respectively. The inhibitory effect of SMY

in vivo

was determined by observing a zebrafish xenograft model with a fluorescent label.

Results:

2

The CNE-2R cells showed EMT transition and high expression of LCN2

and the use of SMY (5

10 and 20 μg/mL) reduced the expression of LCN2 and reversed the EMT in the CNE-2R cells. Compared to that of the CNE-2R group

the proliferation

migration

and invasion abilities of SMY high-concentration group were weakened (

P

<

0.05). Moreover

SMY mediated tumor growth and metastasis in a dose-dependent manner in a zebrafish xenograft model

which was consistent with the

in vitro

results.

Conclusions:

2

SMY can reverse the EMT process of CNE-2R cells

which may be related to its inhibition of LCN2 expression. Therefore

LCN2 may be a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in patients with NPC.