Abstract: Objective To investigate whether the down-regulation of HER2 can inhibit the autophagy of cells and influence the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Methods The 5 μmol/L of autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) and 10 μmol/L of HER2 inhibitor (Neratinib) were used to treat human lung cancer A549 cells. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of HER2, Beclin-1 and LC3B (Ⅱ/Ⅰ) in A549 cells. Wound healing and Transwell invasion methods were used to detect the invasion and migration ability of A549 cells. MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cell proliferation. Results Western blot analysis showed that the protein expressions of HER2, Beclin-1 and LC3B (Ⅱ/Ⅰ) were significantly declined in A549 cells treated with Neratinib and 3-MA for 24 h compared to cells in control group. The cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were significantly decreased in A549 cells treated with Neratinib and 3-MA thanthoseofcontrolcells.Conclusion TheinhibitionofHER2proteincansuppresstheautophagyandproliferationofA549cells.

Key words: lung neoplasms, autophagy, cell proliferation, receptor, erbB-2, cell invasion, cell migration