Silencing EPHB2 diminished the malignant biological properties of esophagus cancer cells by blocking autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract

Eph receptor B2 (EPHB2) is overexpressed in some tumors and relevant to unfavorable outcomes of tumor patients. By searching Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and KM Plot websites, we discovered that EPHB2 was highly expressed in patients with esophageal cancer, leading to poor prognosis. However, the role and molecular mechanism of EPHB2 in esophagus cancer is unknown. Our study aims to unveil the underlying mechanism by which EPHB2 modulates the biological properties of esophagus cancer cells. After si-EPHB2 transfection, the malignant biological properties of esophagus cancer cells were determined by several biological experiments. IWP-4 was applied to block Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The expressions of autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway relevant molecules were tested by western blot assay. An increased expression of EPHB2 was happened in esophagus cancer samples and loss of EPHB2 diminished esophagus cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, our data showed that depletion of EPHB2 blocked the autophagy and in-activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in esophagus cancer cells. While, IWP-4 treatment inhibited the autophagy and limited esophagus cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, EPHB2 knocked down strengthened the effect of IWP-4 treatment in regulating esophagus cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. Finally, we illustrated that EPHB2 regulated the biological properties of esophagus cancer cells by modulating autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our study illustrated that EPHB2 might be a worthwhile target considering for the treatment of esophagus cancer.