CHM-1 inhibits hepatocyte growth factor-induced invasion of SK-Hep-1 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression

Clinical observations suggest that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can promote invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we found that HGF-stimulated invasion of SK-Hep-1 cells, together with increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. CHM-1 was identified from 2-phenyl-4-quinolone derivatives to potently inhibit HGF-induced cell invasion, proteolytic activity, and expression of MMP-9. CHM-1 significantly inhibited tyrosine autophosphorylation of c-Met induced by HGF. CHM-1 also suppressed HGF-induced Akt phosphorylation, and NF-κB activation, the downstream regulators of HGF/c-Met signaling, resulting in the inhibition of MMP-9. Thus, we suggest that CHM-1 is a potential therapeutic agent against tumor invasion.