Analysis of electric cigarette liquid effect on mouse brain tumor growth through EGFR and ERK activation.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Kwon, Hyung Joon; Oh, Young Taek; Park, Saewhan; Kim, Sung Soo; Park, Jinju; Yin, Jinlong; Hong, Jun Hee; Kim, Chan Il; Ryu, Haseo; Park, Jong Bae; Lim, Min Kyung
- Source
- PLoS ONE. 9/8/2021, Vol. 16 Issue 9, p1-12. 12p.
- Subject
- *TUMOR growth
*NEURAL development
*BRAIN tumors
*MAGNETIC resonance imaging
*EPIDERMAL growth factor receptors
*CARCINOGENICITY
- Language
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
Introduction: Recently, electric cigarettes with liquid (e-liquid) were introduced as an alternative to tobacco smoking. They were promoted as possible cessation aids and were considered to be potentially less harmful than traditional tobacco-based cigarettes. However, there is little information on the toxicants present in e-liquids and their possible carcinogenic effects. Methods: Western blot analysis was performed to identify the protein levels of cancer progression related signal transducers. Patient-derived brain tumor cells (CSC2) were injected into mouse brains and tumor growth was then observed by performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the whole brain. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and Immunofluorescence staining were performed to study the expression of pEGFR and pERK. Results: Western blotting revealed that e-liquids increased pEGFR and pERK expression in a dose dependent manner. Animal experiments revealed that the e-liquid treated group had accelerated tumor growth and poor prognosis compared to the vehicle group. Histological staining showed activation of pEGFR and pERK in the e-liquid treated group. Conclusion: Our study revealed that e-liquid activates pEGFR and pERK, leading to accelerated brain tumor growth and poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]