E2F transcription factor 8 promotes cell proliferation via CCND1/p21 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Huiwen Chang, Jianxiang Song, Jixiang Wu, Yajun Zhang Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Yancheng Third People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Yancheng Hospital of Southeast University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224001, PR China Purpose: E2F transcription factor 8 (E2F8) is a novel member of the E2F family, but its function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to research the function of E2F8 in ESCC. Materials and methods: We used quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses to detect the expression pattern of E2F8 in ESCC. The effects of E2F8 on proliferation were investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine, and colony formation assays. We also confirmed the function of E2F8 in vivo. Results: E2F8 expression was upregulated in ESCC, and promoted cell proliferation and influenced the expression of CCND1/p21. Downregulation of E2F8 expression inhibited cell proliferation in vivo. Conclusion: E2F8 was identified as a new potential oncogene in ESCC. Keywords: E2F8, cell cycle, ESCC, cell proliferatio