Hormetic Effect of Mixed Subtypes 1&3 of Blastocystis sp. Antigen Exposure on N-Cadherin Expression in the HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line and Its Relationship with Cell Migration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2025.9983Keywords:
Blastocystis sp., Colorectal cancer, HT-29, N-cadherin, Cell migration, Sumatera, IndonesiaAbstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The disease is associated with intestinal protozoan infections, including Blastocystis sp. Mixed subtypes 1&3 of Blastocystis sp. are frequently found in the fecal specimens of colorectal cancer patients in West Sumatera, Indonesia. The mechanism by which these protozoa influence the pathogenesis and course colorectal cancer is still unclear even it is debatable whether Blastocystis sp. are protecting or promoting cancer. This study aimed to determine the effects of mixed subtypes 1 and 3 of Blastocystis sp. antigen on N-cadherin expression and the migration of the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line. It was in vitro experimental study and used a post-test only control group design. The experiment was conducted via a post-test only control group design. HT-29 cells were divided into 1 control group and 5 treatment groups and subjected to various concentrations of Blastocystis sp. antigen (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 μg/mL). N-cadherin gene expression was measured via qRT-PCR, while cell migration was determined via a scratch assay and analyzed via Image J software. The effects of the antigens on N-cadherin expression and cell migration were analyzed via 1 Way Anova, followed by Tukey’s test. The results revealed that the highest and lowest expression levels of N-cadherin were detected in the 0.5 and 0.01 μg/mL groups, respectively. The highest and lowest migration rates were found at 0.5 and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively. There was a significant difference in the expression of N-cadherin and the migration of HT-29 cells after the administration of mixed subtypes 1 and 3 Blastocystis sp. various concentrations. Furthermore, there was a correlation between N-cadherin and the migration of HT-29 cells. These results showed that Blastocystis sp. had promoted cancer at certain concentrations and indicated a hormetic effect after reaching optimal concentrations, influencing cell migration via N-cadherin.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mixed subtype 1&3 Blastocystis sp. influenced N-cadherin mRNA expression and migration of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.
- Infection of Blastocystis sp. which is known as comensal intestinal protozoa should not be ignored because at celluler level it can influence migration of cancer cells by inducing epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).
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