The Correlation of EMT-related Genes in the Pathogenesis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT)-related genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected from patients diagnosed with NSCLC, COPD, and COPD complicated with NSCLC. RNA from cells was extracted with Trizol reagent. Differential genes were screened and validated using the PCR Array and qRT-PCR, respectively. Results: The expressions of ITGB1, VIM, and MMP-9 were higher in the NSCLC group compared to the COPD group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expressions of ITGB1, VIM, MMP-9, and Notch1 were higher, and the expression of KRT14 was lower in the complicated group compared to the NSCLC group (P<0.05).In the NSCLC subgroup, MMP-9 and Notch1 were highly expressed in the lung adenocarcinoma group (P < 0.05) compared to the squamous cell lung carcinoma group. Conclusions: The upregulation of ITGB1, VIM, MMP-9, and Notch1 and downregulation of KRT14 might be closely related to the occurrence and development of NSCLC, mainly lung adenocarcinoma.