HOXB8 enhances the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by promoting EMT via STAT3 activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of homeobox8 (HOXB8) is higher in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues than in normal tissues; however, the precise role of HOXB8 in human CRC cells remains to be elucidated.

Methods

We generated lentiviral constructs to overexpress and silence HOXB8 in CRC cell lines, and examined their biological functions through MTT, wound healing, colony and transwell, expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors through western-blot.

Results

HOXB8 knockdown inhibited cellular proliferation and invasion in vitro as well as carcinogenesis and metastasis in vivo. HOXB8 also induced EMT, which is characterized by the down-regulation of

SUBMITTER: Wang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6317211 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature