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Down-regulation of TWIST decreases migration and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells by regulating the E-cadherin, N-cadherin expression

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Abstract

Purpose

The transcription factor TWIST is an important factor in regulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which represents the primary stages during the metastasis of tumors. To identify the role of TWIST in the regulation of metastasis in laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells, we investigated whether the alteration of TWIST has an effect on the Hep-2 cells morphology and whether the alteration of TWIST has an effect on the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin as well as the ability of cell motion, migration, and invasion.

Methods

Morphological changes of Hep-2 cells that were transfected a mircoRNA against TWIST vector were observed by the reserved microscope. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed in order to examine the mRNA expression of TWIST, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. Western blotting was performed to examine the protein expression of TWIST, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin. Cell motion ability was examined by Scratch-wound assay. Transwell™ chamber assays were used to determine cell migration and invasion.

Results

Transfecting a mircoRNA down-regulated TWIST expression at mRNA and protein levels. Down-regulation of TWIST expression induced morphological changes, such as the inversion of the EMT. Moreover, down-regulation of TWIST expression up-regulated E-cadherin and down-regulated N-cadherin expressions at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Furthermore, we confirmed that down-regulation of TWIST expression decreased the motion, invasion, and migration ability of the Hep-2 cells.

Conclusions

Down-regulation of TWIST expression decreases migration and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells by regulation of the E-cadherin, N-cadherin expression.

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Abbreviations

EMT:

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition

HNSCC:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

DMEM:

Dulbecco modified eagle medium

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part Department of Science & Technology of Shandong province (03BS020) and by Shandong Province Outstanding Young Scientist Research Award Fund (bs2009yy018).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Liang Yu, Hui-zheng Li, Jia-jun Tian, Ju-ke Ma, Hai-bo Wang & Wei Xu

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dalian Municipal Friendship Hospital, Dalian, Liaoning, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Hui-zheng Li

  3. Institute of Eye and Otolaryngology, Shandong Clinic Research Institute, Jinan, Peoples’ Republic of China

    Su-mei Lu

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  1. Liang Yu
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  2. Hui-zheng Li
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  3. Su-mei Lu
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  4. Jia-jun Tian
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  5. Ju-ke Ma
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  6. Hai-bo Wang
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  7. Wei Xu
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hai-bo Wang or Wei Xu.

Additional information

Liang Yu and Hui-zheng Li contributed equally to this work.

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Yu, L., Li, Hz., Lu, Sm. et al. Down-regulation of TWIST decreases migration and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells by regulating the E-cadherin, N-cadherin expression. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 137, 1487–1493 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1023-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-011-1023-z

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