HOXB8 enhances the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by promoting EMT via STAT3 activation

Cancer Cell International

Wenjing Shang¹  Fengying Lu¹  Feiyan Lin¹  Ruichun Bi¹  Lei Jiang¹  Shaotang Li²  Ruibo Mao²  Tingting Wang³  Shenyue Zhou³  Xuecheng Sun³ 

[1] Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University;Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University;Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University;

关键词: Colorectal cancer;    Epithelial–mesenchymal transition;    HOXB8;    Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12935-018-0717-6

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of homeobox8 (HOXB8) is higher in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues than in normal tissues; however, the precise role of HOXB8 in human CRC cells remains to be elucidated. Methods We generated lentiviral constructs to overexpress and silence HOXB8 in CRC cell lines, and examined their biological functions through MTT, wound healing, colony and transwell, expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors through western-blot. Results HOXB8 knockdown inhibited cellular proliferation and invasion in vitro as well as carcinogenesis and metastasis in vivo. HOXB8 also induced EMT, which is characterized by the down-regulation of E-cadherin and the up-regulation of Vimentin, N-cadherin, Twist, Zeb1 and Zeb2. Moreover, HOXB8 activated STAT3, which is known to play an oncogenic role in diverse human malignancies. Conclusions Our results indicate that HOXB8 may be an independent prognostic factor in CRC. Therefore, deserved a deeper research.

【 授权许可】

Unknown