LMX1B involved in the radioresistance, proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells

Abstract

Objectives: Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. The radioresistance remains a major obstacle for effective treatment of EC. Methods: Esophageal cancer radioresistant cell lines were screened by the cumulative dose of radiation assays. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays were used to detect the expression of LMXIB in EC. The survival fraction experiments were performed to test the effects of LMXIB in the radioresistance of EC. Following, the ionizing radiation and clonogenic, cell proliferation, wound healing and Flow cytometry apoptosis assays were used to characterize the properties of these cell lines. Results: We found that the LMX1B gene, encoding a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, is expressed in a higher level in the radio-resistant EC cell lines. The following radiation assays revealed that LMX1B promotes the radioresistance of EC cells. Moreover, LMX1B plays roles in the proliferation, cell migration and apoptosis of EC cells. Conclusion: All these results indicated that LMX1B is a key regulator involved in the radioresistance of EC, which might be used as a biomarker to guide the clinical therapy of EC.

Keywords

• Esophageal cancer
• Radioresistance
• LMX1B
• Cell migration
• Apoptosis