Integrin αvβ8 expressed on tumor cells executes crucial regulatory functions during cell adhesion in the tumor microenvironment and supports the activation of TGF-β1. This study aimed to investigate the expression of integrin αvβ8 and its clinical significance in colon cancer, in addition to its influence on the invasion and migration of cancer cells. Our results showed that integrin αvβ8 was an indicator of progression and poor prognosis in patients with colon cancer. Moreover, integrin αvβ8 significantly promoted the invasion and migration of colon cancer cells by the activation of TGF-β1 and upregulation of metalloproteinase-9. Furthermore, suppression of integrin αvβ8 was found to inhibit the growth of colon cancer in vivo. Our results indicate that integrin αvβ8 promotes tumor invasiveness and the migration of colon cancer through TGF-β1 activation and is a potential prognostic biomarker. This study may provide clues to further understand the manner in which the tumor microenvironment mediates the development of colon cancer and develop strategies for novel therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.
Keywords: TGF-β1; cell invasiveness; colon cancer; integrin αvβ8; prognostic factors.
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