TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 Signaling Axis Promotes Viability, Migration, Invasion and EMT of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-metastasis associated 1 (MTA1)-SMAD7-SMAD3-SRY-Box Transcription Factor 4 (SOX4)-EZH2 signaling axis, in which EZH2 participates, is also involved in HCC remained unknown. Data on EZH2 expression in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and its relation with prognosis of HCC patients were predicted and analyzed using online databases. Following transfection with or without TGF-β1, HCC cell viability, migration and invasion were determined with MTT, Scratch and Transwell assays. Relative expressions of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors (N-Cadherin, Vimentin, and E-Cadherin) and TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 signaling axis factors (TGF-β, MTA1, SMAD7, phosphorylated-SMAD3, SOX4 and EZH2) were calculated via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. EZH2 was upregulated in HCC, which was related to poor prognosis. Silencing EZH2 suppressed EZH2 expression and HCC cell viability, migration, and invasion, and increased E-Cadherin expression yet decreased N-Cadherin and Vimentin expression, whereas EZH2 overexpression did conversely. Also, silencing EZH2 reversed the effects of TGF-β1 on promoting viability, migration, and invasion, as well as N-Cadherin and Vimentin expressions, yet suppressing E-Cadherin expression in HCC cells. In addition, TGF-β1 promoted TGF-β, MTA1, SOX4 and EZH2 expressions and p-SMAD3/SMAD3 ratio yet suppressed SMAD7, whereas silencing EZH2 solely reversed the effects of TGF-β1 on EZH2 expression in HCC cells. The present study provides a theoretical basis for TGF-β-MTA1-SMAD7-SMAD3-SOX4-EZH2 signaling cascade in viability, migration, invasion, and EMT of HCC cells. Inhibiting these signals may represent a therapeutic pathway for the treatment of metastatic HCC.