Knockdown of inhibitor of differentiation 1 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis by inactivating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in hemangioma-derived endothelial cells

Abstract Hemangioma (HA) is one of the commonest benign vascular neoplasms of infancy. Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID-1) has been reported to be an oncogene in multiple cancers. However, the role of ID-1 and its molecular mechanism in HA progression have not been elucidated. In the present study, we found that ID-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was up-regulated in HA-derived endothelial cells (HDECs). Knockdown of ID-1 inhibited proliferation, facilitated apoptosis, and enhanced propranolol cytotoxicity in HDECs. Knockdown of ID-1 decreased the protein levels of phospholyrated protein kinase-B (Akt) and phospholyrated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by LY294002 abrogated ID-1-mediated pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis effects in HDECs. In conclusion, knockdown of ID-1 suppressed proliferation and promoted apoptosis by inactivating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR signaling in HDECs, shedding light on the function of ID-1 in HA progression and highlighting the therapeutic value of ID-1 for HA.