Molecular Insights into the Immunomodulating and Anticancer Mechanisms of Eremina desertorum (Forsskal, 1775) Mucin in HepG-2 and CACO-2 Cells

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present research is to deeply investigate the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities of the mucin extracted from Ereminia desertorum snails´ mucus against two tumor cell lines; human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) and human colon adenocarcinoma (CACO-2) cells. Both cell lines were treated with Ereminia desertorum snails´ mucin and the anti-cancer potential of the mucin was evaluated by the crystal violet assay test and gene expression analysis using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The extract showed cytotoxic activity on both tumor cell lines however it was more pronounced CACO-2 (IC50: 0.20±0.05 (µl/ml)) than HepG-2 (0.103±0.019 (µl/ml)). Gene expression levels (2-ddct) of the transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α showed increased expression in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells treated with the mucin extract by (18.38 and 19.14) and (14.38 and 10.69) folds respectively. Apoptotic gene expression (Cas3 and Cas9) in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells showed increased expression after treatment with the mucin extract by (16.14, and 11.00) and (23.58 and 12.50) folds, respectively. Gene expression levels (2-ddct) of Oncogenic markers (c-myc, Ras, β-catenin, and EGFR) in HepG-2 and CACO-2 cells treated with mucin extract decreased by (0.025, 0.025, 0.047 and 0.040) and (0.064, 0.183, 0.111 and 0.26) folds, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study highlighted the anticancer and immunomodulatory activities of the mucin extracted from E. desertorum snails´ mucus. This could attract attention to such natural compound as a possible source of a therapeutic product against liver and colon cancers.