GLP2-GLP2R signal affects the viability and EGFR-TKIs sensitivity of PC9 and HCC827 cells

BACKGROUND: The resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy is currently the major clinical challenge in the treatment of lung cancer. This study aims to reveal the role of glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 2 and GLP-2 receptor (GLP2R) signaling on the EGFR-TKIs and cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells. METHODS: The common differentially expressed genes in PC9 and HCC827 cells that were individually resistant to one of the three EGFR-TKIs (dacomitinib, osimertinib and afatinib) were screened. The data were from GSE168043 and GSE163913. The expression of GLP2R in drug-resistant cells was detected by western blot. The effect of GLP2R expression down- or up-regulation on resistance to dacomitinib, osimertinib, afatinib or cisplatin was measured by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. The long-acting analog of GLP-2, teduglutide, treated the parental cells. RESULTS: A total of 143 common differentially expressed genes were identified. Compared with the parent cells, the GLP2R expression in drug-resistant cell lines was significantly up-regulated. The exogenous expression of GLP2R in parental cells enhanced cell viability, while knockdown of GLP2R levels in drug-resistant cell lines inhibited cell viability. In addition, teduglutide treatment also enhanced the viability of lung cancer cells. CONCLUSION: GLP2-GLP2R signal may change the sensitivity of cells to EGFR-TKIs and cisplatin. The development of GLP-2 or GLP2R inhibitors may be beneficial to the clinical treatment of lung cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01800-3.