Zinc finger protein, X-linked (ZFX) gene locus on the human X chromosome is structurally similar to the zinc finger protein, Y-linked gene. Its role in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is still not clearly defined. This study was focused on investigating the role of zinc-finger protein X-linked (ZFX) in human LSCC. Expression levels of ZFX were examined in LSCC tissues, corresponding adjacent non-tumoral tissues and vocal leukoplakia tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The association with the expression level of ZFX and LSCC clincopathological parameters was analyzed. The prognostic value of ZFX expression was also analyzed. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference was applied to silence ZFX expression and the effects of ZFX knockdown on the growth of human LSCC primary cells was investigated. Overexpression of ZFX was found in LSCC tissues. The expression of ZFX was associated with the clinical stage of LSCC. Patients with higher level of ZFX experienced a poorer prognosis compared to those with lower level of ZFX. Knockdown of ZFX inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and migration of LSCC primary cells. Moreover, ZFX silencing induced cell apoptosis. These results provide the convincing evidence for the first time that ZFX plays an important role in LSCC development and could be a potential therapeutic target or prognostic predictor for LSCC.
Keywords: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC); apoptosis; prognosis; proliferation; zinc finger protein x-linked (ZFX).