TRAF6 regulates tumour metastasis through EMT and CSC phenotypes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with metastasis formation, generation and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the regulatory mechanisms of CSCs have not been clarified. This study aims to investigate the role of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) on EMT and CSC regulation in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). We found TRAF6 was overexpressed in human SCCHN tissues, and high TRAF6 expression was associated with lymphatic metastasis and resulted in poor prognosis in patients with SCCHN. In addition, elevated TRAF6 expression was observed in several HNSCC cell lines, and wound healing and transwell assay results showed that TRAF6 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion ability of the SCCHN cells. Moreover, the expression of Vimen

SUBMITTER: Chen L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5783876 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature