Knockdown of Li-cadherin increases metastatic behaviors of LoVo cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Li-cadherin in invasion and metastasis in LoVo cells. We applied RNA interference mediated downregulation of Li-cadherin expression in LoVo cells. Li-cadherin expression in LoVo cells was examined by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, western blot, and immunoprecipitation, respectively. Effect of suppression of Li-cadherin expression on cell migration, invasion, and adhesion was detected by wound healing assay, migration assay, invasion assay, and adhesion assay. Expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed by gelatin zymography. Cell migration, invasion, and adhesion were increased concomitantly with the reduction in Li-cadherin protein expression. Furthermore, downregulation of Li-cadherin expression induced secretion of proMMP-9, active MMP-9 and active MMP-2. This study suggests that silencing Li-cadherin has positive actions in the processes of LoVo cells invasion and metastasis, and the interactions among MMP-2, MMP-9, and Li-cadherin participate in the multiple steps of invasion and metastasis in LoVo colorectal cancer cells.