Introduction: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-metastasis associated 1 (MTA1)-SMAD7-SMAD3-SRY-Box Transcription Factor 4 (SOX4)-EZH2 signaling axis, in which EZH2 participates, is also involved in HCC remained unknown. Methods: Data on EZH2 expression in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and its relation with prognosis of HCC patients were predicted and analyzed using online databases. Following transfection with or without TGF-beta 1, HCC cell viability, migration and invasion were determined with MTT, Scratch and Transwell assays. Relative expressions of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors (N-Cadherin, Vimentin, and E-Cadherin) and TGF-beta-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 signaling axis factors (TGF-beta, MTA1, SMAD7, phosphorylated-SMAD3, SOX4 and EZH2) were calculated via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Results: EZH2 was upregulated in HCC, which was related to poor prognosis. Silencing EZH2 suppressed EZH2 expression and HCC cell viability, migration, and invasion, and increased E-Cadherin expression yet decreased N-Cadherin and Vimentin expression, whereas EZH2 overexpression did conversely. Also, silencing EZH2 reversed the effects of TGF-beta 1 on promoting viability, migration, and invasion, as well as N-Cadherin and Vimentin expressions, yet suppressing E-Cadherin expression in HCC cells. In addition, TGF-beta 1 promoted TGF-beta, MTA1, SOX4 and EZH2 expressions and p-SMAD3/SMAD3 ratio yet suppressed SMAD7, whereas silencing EZH2 solely reversed the effects of TGF-beta 1 on EZH2 expression in HCC cells. Conclusion: The present study provides a theoretical basis for TGF-beta-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 signaling cascade in viability, migration, invasion, and EMT of HCC cells. Inhibiting these signals may represent a therapeutic pathway for the treatment of metastatic HCC.
基金:
National Natural Science Foundation of China [81471612, 81572427]; Shenzhen Key Medical Discipline Construction Fund [SZXK079]; Youth Fund of The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen [G2021003]
第一作者单位:[1]Third Peoples Hosp Shenzhen, Hepat Surg Dept, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Peoples R China
通讯作者:
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Zhang Kangjun,Fang Taishi,Shao Yajie,et al.TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 Signaling Axis Promotes Viability, Migration, Invasion and EMT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells[J].CANCER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH.2021,13:7087-7099.doi:10.2147/CMAR.S297765.
APA:
Zhang, Kangjun,Fang, Taishi,Shao, Yajie&Wu, Yanhui.(2021).TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 Signaling Axis Promotes Viability, Migration, Invasion and EMT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.CANCER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH,13,
MLA:
Zhang, Kangjun,et al."TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 Signaling Axis Promotes Viability, Migration, Invasion and EMT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells".CANCER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH 13.(2021):7087-7099