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FOXC2 is up-regulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and promotes the growth and migration of cancer cells

Tumor Biology volume 37, pages 8579–8585 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The transcriptional factor Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) was recently demonstrated to be up-regulated in various cancer types. However, its expression profile and the biological functions in pancreatic cancer remain unknown. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of FOXC2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues and investigated the functions of FOXC2 in the progression of PDAC. It was found that the expression of FOXC2 was up-regulated in PDAC samples. Forced expression of FOXC2 promoted the growth and migration of the PDAC cells, while knocking down the expression of FOXC2 inhibited the growth and migration of the PDAC cells. Moreover, FOXC2 was found to interact with beta-catenin and promote cell growth by activating beta-catenin/TCF signaling. Taken together, this study demonstrated the oncogenic roles of FOXC2 in PDAC, and FOXC2 might be a therapeutic target for PDAC.

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    Affiliations

    1. General Surgery Department, Affiliated Hospital, Jiangsu University, 438 Jie-Fang Rd., Zhenjiang, 212003, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

      Lei Cui, Shengchun Dang, Jianguo Qu, Zhengfa Mao, Xuqing Wang, Jianxin Zhang & Jixiang Chen

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    1. Lei Cui
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    2. Shengchun Dang
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    3. Jianguo Qu
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    5. Xuqing Wang
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    Correspondence to Jixiang Chen.

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    Lei Cui and Shengchun Dang contributed equally to this work.

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    Cui, L., Dang, S., Qu, J. et al. FOXC2 is up-regulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and promotes the growth and migration of cancer cells. Tumor Biol. 37, 8579–8585 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-015-4607-4

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-015-4607-4

    Keywords

    • PDAC
    • FOXC2
    • Beta-catenin/TCF signaling
    • Cell growth and migration