Targeting secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth, migration and invasion via downregulation of AKT.

The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a serine protease inhibitor which plays important role in bacterial infection, inflammation, wound healing and epithelial proliferation. Dysregulation of SLPI has been reported in a variety of human cancers including glioblastoma, lung, breast, ovarian and colorectal carcinomas and is associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential. However, the pathogenic role of SLPI in colorectal cancer is still unclear. Here we showed that SLPI mRNA level was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal controls. Targeting SLPI by siRNA inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells lines HT29 and HT116 in vitro. Mechanistically, blockage of cancer cell growth and metastasis after SLPI knockdown was associated with down-regulation of AKT signaling. In conclusion, SLPI regulated colorectal cell growth and metastasis via AKT signaling. SLPI may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Targeting AKT signaling may be effective for colorectal cancer treatment.