KRT15 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells

Background: Keratin 15 (KRT15) regulates invasion, metastasis, and tumor growth in a variety of gynecological malignancies outside cervical cancer. KRT15’s role and mechanism in cervical cancer cells have not been reported. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of KRT15 knockdown on cervical cancer’s malignant behavior. Methods: KRT15 expression in cervical cancer was assessed in multiple cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, CaSki and C33A) and examined using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. KRT15 was knocked down using siRNA technology, with siRNA Control (si-NC) as a control. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell viability and colony formation assays. Transwell tests were used to study cell invasion and migration. A Western blot analysis was performed using KRT15 knockdown HeLa and SiHa to assess Wnt/β-catenin pathway expression. Group differences were assessed using Student’s t-test. Results: In western blot and bioinformatics analyses, cervical carcinoma had significantly elevated KRT15 expression. KRT15 knockdown inhibited cell growth. KRT15 knockdown also prevented HeLa and SiHa cells from migrating and invading. KRT15 knockdown reduced Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway expression in cervical cancer cells. Conclusions: KRT15 knockdown suppresses the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby reducing cervical cancer cell mobility and proliferation. This suggests that KRT15 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer treatment.

KRT15; Cervical cancer; Proliferation; Migration; Invasion; Wnt/β-catenin

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