Experimental Study on the Combined Effect of Total Glucosides of Paeony and TMEM106A Gene on the Malignant Phenotype of Lung Cancer Cells

Background Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) has a wide range of functions in various biological processes. However, it is unknown whether TGP can affect the aggressive behaviors of lung cancer cells. Purpose The purpose of this paper was to clarify the effect of TGP combined with transmembrane protein 106A (TMEM106A) on lung cancer cell behaviors. Materials and Methods The expression of TMEM106A protein was checked using Western blotting. Different dosages (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL) of TGP were used to intervene lung cancer A549 cells, and cell proliferation was checked by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The TMEM106A recombinant plasmid (pcDNA3.1-TMEM106A) was utilized for cell transfection. A549 cells were divided into the control group, TGP group, pcDNA3.1-TMEM106A group, and TGP+pcDNA3.1-TMEM106A group. The apoptosis of the four groups was examined by flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion in the four groups were tested using a Transwell assay. Results The expression level of TMEM106A protein in lung cancer cell lines (H1299, A549, and H1650) was significantly reduced compared with that in non-cancerous 16HBE cells. The proliferative activity of A549 cells administered with TGP was remarkably reduced. In contrast to the control, the proliferative activity, migratory ability, and invasive capacity of lung cancer A549 cells administered with TGP or with TMEM106A overexpression were notably lessened, but the apoptosis rate was markedly reinforced. In comparison to the TGP group or pcDNA3.1-TMEM106A group, the proliferation, migratory ability, and invasiveness of lung cancer A549 cells in the TGP+pcDNA3.1-TMEM106A group were further weakened, but the apoptosis rate was further enhanced. Conclusion The malignant phenotypes of lung cancer cells can be inhibited by TGP treatment or TMEM106A overexpression. The combined treatment of TGP and TMEM106A overexpression produced greater inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion.