Rhenium (I) Tricarbonyl-complex Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion and Migration of Esophageal Carcinoma Cells through Targeting Pro-apoptotic Proteins

Abstract

The present study investigated rhenium (I) tricarbonyl-complex (RTCC) as anticancer agent
against OE-33 and EC9706 esophageal carcinoma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Treatment
with RTCC led to a dose-dependent reduction in viability of OE-33 and EC9706 cells in 0.37 to 96 μM
concentration range. The viability of OE-33 and EC9706 cells was reduced to 22 and 18%, respectively, on
treatment with 96 μM RTCC. Colony formation was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in OE-33 and EC9706
cells on treatment with 12 µM RTCC. Treatment with RTCC at 12 µM led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase
in apoptotic cell fraction in OE-33 and EC9706 cell cultures. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was suppressed
and that of Bax promoted in OE-33 and EC9706 cells by RTCC treatment. The average number of OE-33
and EC9706 cells undergoing invasion and migration showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease on treatment
with 12 µM RTCC. Treatment with RTCC led to a prominent suppression in expression of MMP2 and
MMP-9 in OE-33 and EC9706 cells. Moreover, the expression of E-cadherin was found to be markedly higher in OE-33 and EC9706 cells on treatment with RTCC. In summary, RTCC treatment inhibits esophageal
carcinoma cell proliferation, suppresses colony formation ability and activates apoptotic pathway. Thus,
RTCC acts as effective anti-proliferative agent for esophageal carcinoma cells and needs to be investigated
further as chemotherapeutic molecule.