Melatonin suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the MG-63 cell line

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major process involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and has been documented as a potential therapeutic agent for multiple tumors. However, the effects of melatonin on EMT during osteosarcoma (OA) development remain undefined. The present study explored the biological functions and effects of melatonin on EMT induced by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and its underlying mechanisms in MG-63 cells. Using western-blotting and immunofluorescence, it was found that the switch in E-cadherin/N-cadherin and vimentin expression was induced by TGF-beta 1, which was reversed by melatonin through the suppression of Snail and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), through hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) inhibition. These findings demonstrated that the anticancer effects of melatonin against OA MG-63 cells is through the suppression of EMT via HIF-1 alpha/Snail/MMP-9 signaling.