Abstract:

Objective    To investigate the possible role of the sphingosine kinase pathway 1 (SphKl) in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal cancer and its clinical significance. Methods   Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the SphKl expression in esophageal cancer tissues. The SphKl-targeted shRNA plasmid and SphKl-stablesilencing cell lines were established. MTT and Transwell were used to detect the cell proliferation and invasion. Gelatin zymography was used to detect MMP-9 and MMP-2 secretion. Results   The SphKl mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly related to invasive ability. The SphKl-siRNA could significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of EC-1 cells. The SphKl-siRNA significantly inhibited the EC-1 cells invasion, MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein secretion. Conclusions   SphKl is closely related to esophageal cancer invasion and metastasis. Transfection of siRNA sequences targeting SphKl gene can inhibit proliferation and invasion of human esophageal cancer EC-1 cells, and the mechanism is closely related to inhibited MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein secretion.

Key words: Sphingosine kinase 1; Esophageal neoplasms; EC-1 cells; Matrix metallo proteinases; Invasion; Metastasis