Nrf2 Down-Regulation by Camptothecin Favors Inhibiting Invasion, Metastasis and Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Higher oxidant stress capacity could promote invasion and metastasis. A previous study showed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) expressed more Nrf2 than para-carcinoma tissue. The chemotherapeutics such as epirubicin (EPI) could increase Nrf2 expression, while Camptothecin (CPT) could inhibit tumor growth by down-regulating the key molecule of antioxidant stress signal—Nrf2. The role of Nrf2 in invasion and metastasis was still unclear. In this study, we use EPI and CPT to determine the invasion and metastasis in Huh7 cells, H22 and Huh7 mouse models. In Huh7 cells, Nrf2 expression and ROS level were found increased after incubation with EPI by western blot and flow cytometry assay. But with the combination of EPI and CPT, inhibition of Nrf2 could decrease proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, which were investigated by CCK8 assay, wound healing, and Transwell assays. In Huh7 and H22 mouse models, EPI promoted Nrf2 up-regulation and nucleus translocation. Tumor growth was obviously inhibited with a single application of EPI or CPT. The combination of EPI and CPT could inhibit Nrf2 expression but demonstrated more suppressing effect of tumor growth than EPI. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining study revealed that Nrf2 inhibition was beneficial in decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, MMP9, Snail as well as Twist, and increasing E-cadherin, which were associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Nrf2 down-regulation promoted lung metastasis of H22 cells in vivo. In addition, H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining of VEGFR suggested angiogenesis of Huh7 and H22 tumors was reduced. In conclusion, down-regulation of Nrf2 demonstrated inhibition of invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of hepatoma, which may provide a potential therapy in HCC.