Armillaria ostoyae extracts inhibit EMT of cancer cell lines via TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling components

Armillaria ostoyae is an edible mushroom, appreciated in human nutrition, with several medicinal properties already proven. However, its phenolic composition and effects on cancer have never been investigated so far, especially regarding specific signaling pathways included in first steps of cancer metastatic process, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration. We report phenolic profile of two Armillaria ostoyae extracts, ethanol and diethyl ether (E and DE) and their effects on colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) and cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells. Phenolics were detected using HPLC, while effects on cancer cells were investigated using MTT test; expression of markers related to EMT on gene and protein level by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR method. Antimigratory potential was assessed on collective and individual type of migration by Wound healing assay and RTCA technique. Sinapic acid was detected as the main phenolic component in E, while rutin and naringin were dominant in DE type of extract. Extracts notably suppressed pro-EMT markers: vimentin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, Snail, Smad2 and MMP-9, and elevated anti-EMT marker E-cadherin. Consequently, collective and single cell migration were significantly inhibited via regulation of TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling components. DE extract was more efficient in suppression of EMT and migration of colorectal and cervical cancer cells.