Forkhead box protein C1 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in human cervical cancer

Mol Med Rep. 2018 Mar;17(3):4392-4398. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8423. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Abstract

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) expression contributes to tumorigenesis in multiple types of malignant tumor. However, the clinical significance and biological roles of FOXC1 in cervical cancer remain unknown. The expression levels of FOXC1 were examined in human cervical cancer tissues and cells using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Furthermore, high FOXC1 expression was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages, a high degree of malignancy and a poor outcome. FOXC1 silencing inhibited cell growth and enhanced cell apoptosis. Knockdown of FOXC1 markedly suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro, and resulted in downregulation of phosphorylated‑RAC‑α serine/threonine‑protein kinase, proto‑oncogene c‑Myc and B‑cell lymphoma 2. In conclusion, these data indicated that upregulation of FOXC1 contributed to the development of cervical cancer by increasing the growth and motility of the cervical cancer cells, thereby worsening the disease progression in these patients.

Keywords: forkhead box protein C1; cervical cancer; proliferation; migration.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • FOXC1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt