Mesothelin confers pancreatic cancer cell resistance to TNF-α-induced apoptosis through Akt/PI3K/NF-κB activation and IL-6/Mcl-1 overexpression
2011

Mesothelin and Pancreatic Cancer Cell Resistance to TNF-α

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Bharadwaj Uddalak, Marin-Muller Christian, Li Min, Chen Changyi, Yao Qizhi

Primary Institution: Baylor College of Medicine

Hypothesis

How does mesothelin overexpression affect pancreatic cancer cells' sensitivity to TNF-α-induced apoptosis?

Conclusion

Mesothelin overexpression in pancreatic cancer cells leads to resistance against TNF-α-induced apoptosis through the activation of specific survival pathways.

Supporting Evidence

  • High mesothelin expression correlates with resistance to TNF-α-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells.
  • Silencing mesothelin in cancer cells increases their sensitivity to TNF-α.
  • Blocking NF-κB and Akt pathways enhances the effectiveness of TNF-α treatment.

Takeaway

This study shows that a protein called mesothelin helps pancreatic cancer cells survive when treated with a substance that usually kills cells, like TNF-α.

Methodology

The study used various pancreatic cancer cell lines with different levels of mesothelin expression and assessed their response to TNF-α treatment through viability assays and apoptosis measurements.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-4598-10-106

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