Curcumin suppressed proliferation and migration of human retinoblastoma cells through modulating NF-κB pathway.

Purpose: To study the effect of curcumin on proliferation and invasion of the human retinoblastoma cells and its potential mechanism. Methods: A cell line of retinoblastoma (WERI-Rb-1) was treated with various concentrations of curcumin (0–40 µM). Cell number was counted with CCK8 kit, and cell migration was assessed using the Transwell assay. Immunoblotting was performed to detect the proteins of metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB, p65). Results: Proliferation and migration of WERI-Rb-1 cells were significantly inhibited by curcumin in a concentration-dependent manner (0–40 µM). Protein expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and VEGF in the WERI-Rb-1 cells were also significantly inhibited by curcumin in a concentration-dependent manner (0–40 µM). Furthermore, nuclear translocation of NF-κB (p65) was significantly inhibited by curcumin in time-dependent manner (6–24 h). Conclusion: Curcumin inhibited proliferation and migration of WERI-Rb-1 cells, a cell line of human retinoblastoma, which might be through modulating NF-κB and its downstream proteins including VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]