Figure 6.

FAK/MEK/ERK inhibitor promoted 5-FU-induced cell death.

Notes: HT-29-FU and SW620-FU CRC cells were transfected with control or pCDNA3.1-CTGF vector. (A–C) Bcl-xL and survivin protein expressions were examined after MEK/ERK (PD98059) or PI3K/Akt inhibitor (LY294002) treated. (D and E) Cells were pretreated with PD98059 (10 mM) or LY294002 (10 mM), followed by stimulation with 5-FU for 48 hours. Cell survival ability and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay. The IC₅₀ of PD98059 treated groups was 44.46 μM (HT-29-FU) and 53.68 μM (SW620-FU). The IC₅₀ of control groups was 85.52 and 89.10 μM in HT-29-FU and SW620-FU cells, respectively, with CTGF overexpression. The IC₅₀ of LY294002 inhibitor treatment groups was 89.05 μM (HT-29-FU) and 81.10 μM (SW620-FU). Each experiment was repeated three times. Statistical analyses results were expressed as mean ± SEM. *P<0.05 as compared with control group. **P<0.01.

Abbreviations: Bcl-xL, B-cell lymphoma-extra large; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; CRC, colorectal cancer; SEM, standard error of the mean; 5-FU, 5-fluorouracil.