TBX2 over-expression promotes nasopharyngeal cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

Yan Lv,Xingkai Ma,Nannan Chen,Meng Si,Guang-Yin Xu,Ge-Ping Wu,Ling Zhang,C Cao,Huijun Yang,Ya Li,Hongyan Zhu

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.17084

Abstract

TBX2 is a member of the T box transcription factor family. Its expression and potential biological functions in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells are studied here. We showed that TBX2 mRNA and protein expression was significantly elevated in multiple human NPC tissues, as compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of TBX2 by targeted-siRNA significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion of NPC cells (CNE-1 and HONE-1 lines). Meanwhile, TBX2 knockdown also induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest. At the molecular level, we discovered that expressions of several tumor suppressor genes, including p21, p27, phosphatase with tensin homology (PTEN) and E-Cadherin, were increased dramatically after TBX2 knockdown in above NPC cells. Collectively, our results imply that TBX2 over-expression promotes NPC cell proliferation and invasion, possibly via silencing several key tumor suppressor genes.

Highlights

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a rare type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
We discovered that expressions of several tumor suppressor genes, including p21, p27, phosphatase with tensin homology (PTEN) and E-Cadherin, were increased dramatically after TBX2 knockdown in above nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells
To investigate the expression of TBX2 in NPC, TBX2 mRNA expression was assessed in RNA samples that were isolated from 35 pairs of NPC tumor tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues

Summary

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a rare type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). NPC could be caused by a combination of factors, including Epstein-Barr virus infection, environmental influences, and heredity [1,2,3]. NPC is endemic in Southeast Asia and southern China. In 2008, over 84,400 cases of NPC were diagnosed, and 80% of the cases occurred in Asia [4]. Even with the development of modern radiation therapy, distant metastasis will develop in 30-40% of patients within 4 years [5]. Improved understanding of NPC progression and the development of novel therapies is still urgently needed

Methods

Results

Conclusion