Long non-coding RNA FTH1P3 regulated metastasis and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through SP1/NF-kB pathway.

UNLABELLED: AIMS：: Recent research showed that Long non-protein coding RNA ferritin heavy chain 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3) plays a crucial role in the course of tumor formation. The present study was aimed to explore its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MAIN

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to examine the expression levels of FTH1P3, mRNA SP1 and NF-kB in ESCC samples and cell lines. The impact of FTH1P3 knockdown was evaluated by WST-1 assays, colony formation assays, scratch wound assays, migration and invasion assays.

KEY FINDINGS: FTH1P3 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells (P < 0.001). Knockdown of FTH1P3 notably decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of ESCC cells. Silencing of FTH1P3 decreased the expression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and NF-kB (p65) in EC9706 and EC1.

SIGNIFICANCE: FTH1P3 plays a crucial role in ESCC tumorigenesis, and can be used as a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.