Paclitaxel inhibits proliferation, induces EMT, and up-regulates miR-375 expression simultaneously in cervical cancer cells.

<p>(<b>a</b>) Visible morphological changes from “cobblestone”-like to “fibroblast”-like cells was observed in SiHa after 72 h paclitaxel treatment. The representative cells with morphological changes were labeled (<b>b</b>) Immunoblotting measured the expression of Ecadherin and other EMT related proteins (vimentin, Ncadherin, and fibronectin) in cervical cancer cells (SiHa and CaSki) under different amounts (0, 5, 10, 20 nM) of paclitaxel treatment. The expression of Ecadherin protein was decreased and the expressions of vimentin, Ncadherin, and fibronectin protein were increased in cells treated with paclitaxel for 72 hours in a dose-responsive manner. All the expressions of the proteins were normalized to ß-actin and the data in bar graphs are presented as mean of triple samples from three independent experiments. All error bars indicated s.e.m. (**p≤0.01, *p≤0.05). (<b>c,</b><b>d</b>) The transient cell proliferation inhibition and morphological changes induced by paclitaxel were observed. The proliferation changes in SiHa and CaSki cells after paclitaxel administration were analyzed by CellTrace CFSE cell proliferation (<b>c</b>) and MTT assay (<b>d</b>) at 24 h, 72 h, 96 h, day 5, day 7, day 14, and day 21, respectively. The proliferation rate of paclitaxel treated SiHa and CaSki cells was significantly reduced at day 7 and restored at day 21 after paclitaxel administration. The survived CaSki cells were restored into normal morphology at day 21 after paclitaxel administration.