ABSTRACT
Objective·To investigate the role of collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) in ovarian cancer cell metastasis and the related mechanism. Methods·The expression of CTHRC1 in ovarian cancer cells was detected by Western blotting. The cell line which had high expression of CTHRC1 was transfected with a CTHRC1 specific shRNA, and the lenti-CTHRC1 was used to overexpress CTHRC1 in the cell line whose expression of CTHRC1 was very low. Then the expression of Slug and MMP-2 was assessed. Transwell assay was used to determine the migration and invasion capability of ovarian cancer cells after transfection. Results·The expression of CTHRC1 in HO8910 cells was the lowest, while the CTHRC1 protein level was dramatically increased after transfection of lenti-CTHRC1. Meanwhile, there was a distinct rise of the migration and invasion ability, as well as the expression of Slug and MMP-2 (all P<0.05). Conversely, CaOV3 cells had a higher protein expression of CTHRC1. By using lenti-shCTHRC1, a remarkable knockdown of CTHRC1 was obtained. Likewise, the capability of migration and invasion was decreased, and the Slug and MMP-2 expression was reduced (all P<0.05). Conclusion·CTHRC1 might positively regulate Slug and MMP-2 to promote ovarian cancer cell metastasis.