Open AccessCTHRC1 overexpression predicts poor survival and enhances epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Ni Shujuan,
Ren Fei,
Xu Midie,
Tan Cong,
Weng Weiwei,
Huang Zhaohui,
Sheng Weiqi,
Huang Dan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.1807
Subject(s) - epithelial–mesenchymal transition , colorectal cancer , cancer research , cancer , motility , transforming growth factor , downregulation and upregulation , mesenchymal stem cell , medicine , biology , pathology , metastasis , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
Abstract Collagen triple helix repeat containing (CTHRC1), which was identified as a cancer‐related factor, is a promigratory protein involved in multiple processes, including vascular remodeling, antifibrosis, metabolism, bone formation, and cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance and possible role of CTHRC1 in the process of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we revealed that CTHRC1 mRNA and protein levels are both upregulated in CRC tissues compared with those of paired noncancerous tissues. Moreover, the overexpression of CTHRC1 correlated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC (especially colon cancer). Furthermore, we showed that CTHRC1 induced EMT and promoted cell motility in CRC cells. Importantly, we demonstrated that CTHRC1 promoted EMT by activating transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling, revealing a possible effective therapeutic treatment for patients with CRC.