Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41207896›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of medical research2025

NDC80 promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through macrophages polarization and PI3K/AKT pathway activation.

Jiao Shu, Chenbo Yang, Zexin Sun, Yinghao Liang, Na Zhao, Xiaonan Liu, Yiwei Li, Muhammad Saud Tabish, Miaomiao Sun, Kuisheng Chen

Abstract read
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Article in European journal of medical research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jiao Shu *Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Chenbo Yang *Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Zexin Sun *Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Yinghao LiangHenan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Na ZhaoDepartment of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Xiaonan LiuDepartment of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Yiwei LiHenan Key Laboratory of Tumor Pathology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Muhammad Saud TabishDepartment of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Miaomiao SunDepartment of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. sunmiaomiaohd@163.com.
Kuisheng ChenDepartment of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. chenksh2002@163.com.

Funding

2024 Key Scientific Research Programfor Higher Education Institutions in Henan Province 24A310023National Natural Science Foundation of China 82070222Training Program for Young and Middle-aged Health Science and TechnologyInnovation Leaders in Henan Province YXKC2022015
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options, primarily due to its aggressive metastatic behavior. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular drivers of ESCC metastasis by identifying a critical oncogene and investigate its functional mechanisms.

methodsUsing integrated bioinformatics screening, we identified NDC80 as a potential regulator of metastasis. The role and underlying mechanisms of NDC80 in ESCC progression have remained to be fully elucidated. We conducted in vitro functional assays-including real-time PCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry-to assess the effects of NDC80 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and malignant behavior. Mechanistic studies such as co-culture systems and ELISA, were used to evaluate tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization, with a specific focus on the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo, we established subcutaneous xenograft models in immunocompromised mice to validate the impact of NDC80 on ESCC progression. Clinical validation was performed using immunohistochemistry analysis of ESCC tissue samples.

resultsNDC80 was identified as a clinically significant oncogene, showing marked overexpression in ESCC tissues that was associated with advanced invasion depth, lymphatic metastasis, and vascular invasion. Functionally, NDC80 promoted tumor cell migration, invasion, and EMT progression. Mechanistically, NDC80 fostered a tumor-promoting microenvironment by inducing M2 macrophages polarization via secretion of M-CSF and CXCL-2, which in turn activated the PI3K/AKT pathway to further amplify EMT.

conclusionOur findings established NDC80 as a master regulator of ESCC metastasis by activating TAM-mediated PI3K/AKT and promoting EMT. These insights positioned NDC80 as a promising therapeutic target, offering a potential strategy to prevent ESCC progression.

Indexed as

Epithelial-Mesenchymal TransitionEsophageal NeoplasmsEsophageal Squamous Cell CarcinomaMacrophagesPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell MovementFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMaleMiceSignal TransductionTumor-Associated MacrophagesPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktEpithelial-mesenchymal transitionEsophageal squamous cell carcinomaNDC80PI3K/AKTTumor-associated macrophages

Identifiers

PMID41207896
PMCPMC12599082

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.