Investigating the In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of RUNX1 on the Proliferation, Migration, Invasion and Apoptosis of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Mediated via TGF-/Wnt4 Signaling Pathways

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RUNX1 (Runt-related transcription factor 1) on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer, and the relationship between RUNX1 and TGF-beta signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway. RUNX1 siRNA and pcDNA3.1-RUNX1 were transfected into OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cells, respectively. Real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to determine the expression of RUNX1. Cell Counting Kit-8, Scratch Assay, Transwell Assay, and Annexin V-FITC/PI Apoptosis Detection Kit were used to detect the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, respectively. RUNX1 siRNA and RUNX1 overexpression attenuated and increased mRNA and protein expression of RUNX1 in OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cells, respectively. After RUNX1 silencing, the proliferation, migration and invasion of OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cells were both significantly reduced, whereas the apoptosis of the two cell lines were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the expression of TGF-beta and Wnt4 were both significantly improved. After RUNX1 overexpression, the results were completely contrary to those of RUNX1 interference. In vivo experiment indicated that RUNX1 silencing caused lower tumor volume and slower tumor growth, whereas RUNX1 overexpression caused increased tumor volume and accelerated tumor growth in nude mice. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that RUNX1 affected the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of epithelial ovarian cancer with a mechanism involving TGF-beta and Wnt4 signaling pathways.