Annexin 1–nuclear factor-κB–microRNA-26a regulatory pathway in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Background: Annexin 1 (ANXA1) expression is associated with the malignant tumor phenotype, making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, little is known about the regulation of ANXA1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We investigated the biological roles of ANXA1 in tumor growth, migration, and invasion, and explored the possibility of ANXA1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC. Results: Our findings revealed that ANXA1 enhanced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in NSCLC cells by interaction with inhibitor of NF-κB kinase complex subunit, IKKγ. We also found that NF-κB could negatively regulate microRNA (miR)-26a, and miR-26a was regulated through the ANXA1–NF-κB regulatory pathway. NF-κB activation negatively regulated by miR-26a was confirmed in NSCLC. Conclusion: Together, these results provide evidence of the mechanisms of the ANXA1–NF-κB–miR-26a regulatory pathway in the invasion and migration in NSCLC.