Metabolomic Detection Between Pancreatic Cancer and Liver Metastasis Nude Mouse Models Constructed by Using the PANC1-KAI1/CD(82) Cell Line

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and is prone to liver metastasis. The KAI1/CD(82) gene inhibits PC metastasis. This study aimed to explore differential metabolites and enrich the pathways in serum samples between PC and liver metastasis nude mouse models stably expressing KAI1/CD(82). Methods: KAI1/CD(82)-PLV-EF1α-MCS-IRES-Puro vector and PANC1 cell line stably expressing KAI1/CD(82) were constructed for the first time. This cell line was used to construct 3 PC nude mouse models and 3 liver metastasis nude mouse models. The different metabolites and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and human metabolome database (HMDB) enrichment pathways were analyzed using the serum samples of the 2 groups of nude mouse models on the basis of untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry platform. Results: KAI1/CD(82)-PLV-EF1α-MCS-IRES-Puro vector and PANC1 cell line stably expressing KAI1/CD(82) were constructed successfully, and all nude mouse models survived and developed cancers. Among the 1233 metabolites detected, 18 metabolites (9 upregulated and 9 downregulated) showed differences. In agreement with the literature data, the most significant differences between both groups were found in the levels of bile acids (taurocholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid), glycine, prostaglandin E2, vitamin D, guanosine monophosphate, and inosine. Bile recreation, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and purine metabolism KEGG pathways and a series of HMDB pathways (P < .05) contained differential metabolites that may be associated with liver metastasis from PC. However, the importance of these metabolites on PC liver metastases remains to be elucidated. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the metabolomic approach may be a useful method to detect potential biomarkers in PC.