title: ZEB1 promotes the progression and metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma via the promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) clearly contributes to cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the EMT-related transcription repressor ZEB1 and the expression of EMT-associated markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin and N-cadherin) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, the role of ZEB1 and these EMT-associated markers in the progression and metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma was explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of ZEB1, E-cadherin, β-catenin and N-cadherin was evaluated in 81 specimens of cervical squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry; the clinicopathological significance of these markers was then analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1) Of the 81 samples, 37 cases (45.7%) were positive for ZEB1, and nuclear expression of ZEB1 in tumor cells was positively associated with the differentiation status of the tumor tissue (P < 0.05), vascular invasion (P < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). 2) The loss of E-cadherin and β-catenin expression in tumor cells and the acquisition of N-cadherin expression were positively associated with the differentiation status of the tumor tissue (P < 0.05) and with the occurrence of vascular invasion (P < 0.05). 3) A significant negative correlation was observed between ZEB1 and E-cadherin expression (Spearman = -0.636, P < 0.05) and between ZEB1 and β-catenin expression (Spearman = -0.417, P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between ZEB1 and N-cadherin expression (Spearman = 0.557, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results emphasize the role of EMT in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The upregulation of ZEB1 is associated with the abnormal expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin and N-cadherin, which might promote the progression and metastasis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China ; Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Pathology, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Yihui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China ; Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Pathology, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Xiangyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China ; Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Pathology, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China ; Henan Key Laboratory for Tumour Pathology, Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450052, China.
authors.forename: Kuisheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000556:secondary*; D018450:Disease Progression; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D000071799:Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C513384:CDH1 protein, human; C050361:CDH2 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C486307:ZEB1 protein, human; D000071799:Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1; D051176:beta Catenin
keywords: E-cadherin; N-cadherin; ZEB1; cervical squamous cell carcinoma; lymph nodes metastasis; β-catenin