Journal of Practical Oncology ›› 2020, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (1): 17-23.doi: 10.11904/j.issn.1002-3070.2020.01.004

• Basic Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of SOX11 on inhibiting proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells

ZHAO Nannan, QIN Wen, HAN Yonghuan, LU Jing, LI Yamin, XU Yajun   

  1. Department of Gastroenterology,The Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng College,Chifeng 024000,China
  • Received:2019-06-09 Revised:2019-08-29 Online:2020-02-28 Published:2020-02-20

Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the transcription factor SOX11 in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines,the effects on proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer EC109 cells,and to explore its mechanism of action.Methods RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of SOX11 in esophageal tissues and cell lines;SOX11 plasmids were transfected into low expression esophageal cancer cells(EC109,KYSE150,KYSE410 and KYSE510)and normal esophageal epithelial HEEC cells.The overexpression of SOX11 was confirmed in EC109 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-Flag-SOX11(the experimental group)and pcDNA3.1(+)-Flag-vector plasmid(the control group).CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to analyze the effects of SOX11 on proliferation and migration of EC109 cells.RT-qPCR and Western blot assays were used to verify the effect of SOX11 on cell proliferation and migration of EC109 cells.Results Compared with esophageal epithelial tissues,the expression of SOX11 at levels of mRNA and protein was significantly down-regulated in esophageal cancer tissues;the down-regulated expression of SOX11 protein was associated with tumor grade(P=0.014),T stage(P=0.036)and lymph node metastasis(P=0.014).At the same time,compared with esophageal epithelial cells,the mRNA expression of SOX11 was down-regulated in esophageal cancer cells;the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).Compared with the control group(empty vector),the cell viability was significantly suppressed in EC109 cells after transfected with SOX11 mimics for 24,48 and 72 h(P<0.05);the cell migration ability of EC109 cells was significantly inhibited in the experimental group(P<0.001);Compared with the control group,active-β-catenin and its downstream genes were also significantly suppressed in the experimental group.Conclusion SOX11 is down-regulated in human esophageal cancer tissues and cancer cell lines,and may participate in the process of esophageal cancer by antagonizing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Key words: Esophageal cancer, SOX11, Tumor suppressor genes, Cell proliferation/migration, Wnt/β-catenin

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