Open Access

UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cells to doxorubicin by modulating lysosomes

  • Authors:
    • Xi Chen
    • Yingying Bao
    • Ge Sun
    • Xiaobo Wang
    • Jiajun Zhu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 22, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14579
  • Article Number: 446
  • Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 4.0].

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Abstract

Wilms' tumor is a malignant neoplasm where current medical advancements have significantly improved survival rates; however, challenges persist such as the resistance of the tumor to chemotherapy drugs like doxorubicin. This necessitates higher dosages, leading to decreased sensitivity. However, using high doses of doxorubicin can have late effects on the heart. Unc‑13 homolog B (UNC13B) may be involved in the drug resistance in several tumors, yet its role in modulating drug sensitivity in Wilms' tumor remains unexplored. UNC13B levels were quantified using reverse transcription‑qPCR and Western blotting. The half‑maximal inhibitory concentration for doxorubicin, vincristine, and actinomycin‑D was determined using CCK‑8 assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry, and lysosomal changes were observed using Lyso‑Tracker staining. The present study initially evaluated UNC13B expression levels in the Wilms' tumor 17.94 cell line. Additionally, through short hairpin RNA‑mediated knockdown, changes in doxorubicin sensitivity in 17.94 Wilms' tumor cells were assessed. Concurrently, preliminary investigations into the role of UNC13B in regulating lysosomes was performed, revealing a significant positive association between UNC13B levels and lysosome formation in the 17.94 cell line. Lysosomes likely serve a role in the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cell lines to drugs. Elevated UNC13B expression was observed in the 17.94 Wilms' tumor cell line compared to normal kidney cells. UNC13B knockdown also resulted in increased apoptosis levels upon doxorubicin treatment. Immunofluorescence revealed UNC13B localization within cellular vesicles, and its knockdown significantly decreased lysosome levels. Overall, the findings of the present study demonstrate that UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of the Wilms' tumor 17.94 cell line to doxorubicin by modulating lysosome formation within cells. The results suggest that UNC13B is likely an enriched target involved in lysosomal regulation in certain tumors, offering a new approach for optimizing chemotherapy in Wilms' tumor and other cancers with high UNC13B expression.
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September-2024
Volume 28 Issue 3

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Spandidos Publications style
Chen X, Bao Y, Sun G, Wang X and Zhu J: UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cells to doxorubicin by modulating lysosomes. Oncol Lett 28: 446, 2024.
APA
Chen, X., Bao, Y., Sun, G., Wang, X., & Zhu, J. (2024). UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cells to doxorubicin by modulating lysosomes. Oncology Letters, 28, 446. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14579
MLA
Chen, X., Bao, Y., Sun, G., Wang, X., Zhu, J."UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cells to doxorubicin by modulating lysosomes". Oncology Letters 28.3 (2024): 446.
Chicago
Chen, X., Bao, Y., Sun, G., Wang, X., Zhu, J."UNC13B regulates the sensitivity of Wilms' tumor cells to doxorubicin by modulating lysosomes". Oncology Letters 28, no. 3 (2024): 446. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2024.14579