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Diagnostic Pathology
Published in: Diagnostic Pathology 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Esophageal Cancer | Research

FOXM 1 induces Vasculogenic mimicry in esophageal cancer through β-catenin /Tcf4 signaling

Authors: Lili Cheng, Qi Wang, Xiaoying Tao, Yanzi Qin, Qiong Wu, Dafang Zheng, Damin Chai, Yong Zhang, Dongbing Lu, Hongfei Ci, Zhiwei Wang, Jia Ma, Danna Wang, Zenong Cheng, Shiwu Wu, Yisheng Tao

Published in: Diagnostic Pathology | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the role of FOXM1, β-catenin and TCF4 in esophageal cancer (EC) and their relationship to VM (Vasculogenic Mimicry).

Methods

CCK-8 were performed to examine EC cell proliferation in FOXM1 silenced cells. EC cell migration and invasion were investigated through wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The formation of pipe like structures were assessed in 3D cultures. The expression of Foxm1, β-catenin, Tcf4 and E-cadherin were investigated through western blot, RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. The relationship between FOXM1 expression, clinic-pathological features, and overall survival (OS) were further analyzed.

Results

A loss of FOXM1 expression correlated with the OS of ESCC patients. FOXM1 silencing led to a loss of cell growth and suppressed cell migration and invasion in ESCC cells. VM structures were identified in ESCC tissues and human EC cell lines. Mechanistically, FOXM1 was found to promote tumorigenesis through the regulation of β-catenin, Tcf4, and E-cadherin in EC cells, leading to the formation of VM structures.

Conclusions

These findings highlight FoxM1 as a novel therapeutic target in ESCC.
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Metadata
Title
FOXM 1 induces Vasculogenic mimicry in esophageal cancer through β-catenin /Tcf4 signaling
Authors
Lili Cheng
Qi Wang
Xiaoying Tao
Yanzi Qin
Qiong Wu
Dafang Zheng
Damin Chai
Yong Zhang
Dongbing Lu
Hongfei Ci
Zhiwei Wang
Jia Ma
Danna Wang
Zenong Cheng
Shiwu Wu
Yisheng Tao
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Diagnostic Pathology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1746-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-020-00929-9

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