Effect of Transcription Factor Snail on Invasion and Migration of Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Line Eca-109

Objective To investigate the effect of Snail on the invasion and migration of esophageal carcinoma cell line and the potential mechanism in vitro. Methods Esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca-109-Snail and Eca-109-vc were constructed by recombinant lentiviral transduction. The mRNA and protein expression of Snail were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were performed to investigate cells invasion and migration capability. Results Two stable cell lines were established. Increased expression of Snail mRNA and protein in Eca-109-Snail were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The phenotypic changes of spindle-cell morphology and increased intercellular separation were noted in Eca-109-Snail cells. Down-regulation of E-cadherin and up-regulation of Vimentin and MMP-2 were observed in Eca-109-Snail cells. The invasion and migration capability of Eca-109-Snail cells were higher than those of Eca-109-vc cells, with statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion Snail promotes the invasion and migration via inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Eca-109 cells in vitro.