TGFβ1I1 suppressed cell migration and invasion in colorectal cancer by inhibiting the TGF-β pathway and EMT progress

OBJECTIVE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and there is a need for more specific therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the disease. Transforming growth factor beta 1-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1) was reported to be downregulated in CRC tissues; however, the precise roles of TGFB1I1 in CRC remain unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of TGFB1I1 in CRC cell lines and tissues was assessed by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). TGFB1I1 was overexpressed in SW620 and RKO cells. Cell viability was analyzed by a CCK-8 assay. The proportion of apoptotic cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The EdU cell proliferation assay of SW620 and RKO cells after transfection was performed via flow cytometry. The migration potency of SW620 and RKO cells was analyzed using a cell migration assay. A wound healing assay was performed to assess the migration potency of SW620 and RKO cells. The invasion potency of SW620 and RKO cells after TGFB1I1 overexpression was analyzed. The protein levels of VEGF, TGF-beta, MMP9, p-Smad2/3, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: Decreased expression of TGFB1I1 was found in CRC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of TGFB1I1 inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of CRC cells. The overexpression of TGFB1I1 inhibited the migration and invasion of CRC cells. We also found that the overexpression of TGFB1I1 in CRC cells inhibited the TGF-beta pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress. CONCLUSIONS: TGFB1I1 suppressed cell migration and invasion in CRC by inhibiting the TGF-beta pathway and EMT progress.