Omentin-1 is associated with the expression of proliferation, migration, and PI3K/AKT-related gene in breast cancer cells
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) progression is regulated not only by intrinsic tumor characteristics but also by the tumor microenvironment, including adipose tissue-derived adipokines. Omentin-1 (intelectin-1) is a visceral adipokine implicated in metabolic regulation and inflammation; however, its role in BC remains controversial and insufficiently defined.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of omentin-1 on the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of BC cells and to investigate its association with the expression of PIK3CA/AKT1-related and migration-associated genes.
Methods: MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive, weakly invasive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative, highly invasive) BC cell lines were treated with 100 and 200 ng/mL of recombinant omentin-1 for 24 and 48 h. Cell proliferation was assessed using the XTT assay, adhesion by an XTT-based method after washing, and migration via a wound-healing assay. The expression levels of PIK3CA, AKT1, and MMP-9 were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Omentin-1 significantly reduced proliferation in MCF-7 cells at 48 h by 20%–30% relative to control (p < 0.001), whereas no significant effect was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells (p > 0.05). Adhesion remained unchanged in the two cell lines (94%–100% across all groups, p > 0.05). Migration was significantly inhibited in MCF- 7 cells at 72 h, with gap closure declining from 85.71% to 62.98% and 58.98% (p = 0.031; p = 0.001). In contrast, MDA-MB-231 cells responded in a limited, time-dependent manner, with enhanced migration at 24 h and with no variations at 72 h due to complete closure. Gene expression analysis revealed dose- and time-dependent changes in transcription of PIK3CA, AKT1, and MMP-9, with each cell line showing distinct patterns.
Conclusion: Omentin-1 is associated with differential effects on BC cell behavior in a cell line-, dose-, and time-dependent manner, which are observed in parallel with alterations in the expression of PIK3CA/ AKT1- and cell migration-related genes.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Cell Development, Proliferation and Death
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
June 22, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
February 5, 2026
Acceptance Date
May 11, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication
