Correlation of SOX4, SOX17, VE-cadherin and vasculogenic mimicry with the development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: We previously reported high SOX4 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which participates in the mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) by mediating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism. In this study, the relationships between SOX4, SOX17, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and VM were analyzed to explore the mechanisms of the occurrence and development of ESCC. Methods: SOX4, SOX17, and VE-cadherin expression as well as VM in 210 ESCC tissues and 60 normal esophageal mucosal tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and correlations with clinicopathological parameters were explored. The invasion, migration, and proliferation of EC9706 and Eca109 cells were determined after silencing of VE-cadherin with siRNA interference technology. SOX4, SOX17, and VE-cadherin protein and mRNA expression were quantified by Western blotting and qRT-PCR analyses, respectively.Results: Low SOX17 expression, high SOX4 expression, and high VE-cadherin expression were observed in ESCC tissues and were significantly correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis (LNM), depth of invasion, and pathological tumor node metastasis (pTNM) stage. They also were independent poor prognostic factors in ESCC patients. After VE-cadherin silencing, the invasion, migration, and proliferation of EC9706 and Eca109 cells in vitro were decreased, while SOX17 protein and mRNA levels were increased and SOX4 protein and mRNA levels were decreased.Conclusions: SOX17, SOX4, and VE-cadherin are involved in the development of ESCC. Low expression of SOX17 and high expression of SOX4 may promote VM in ESCC by enhancing VE-cadherin transcription.