KRT17 promotes endometrial cancer cell migration as well as angiogenesis by regulating HIF-1α/VEGF pathway

Abstract

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common type malignant tumors in women. To combat this type of cancer, more effective treatments are still needed. EC cell growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis. Keratin (KRT) is a family of proteins which are essential for hair formation. KRT17 affected a variety of cancers. Here, we reported that KRT17 expression was high in human EC. The depletion of KRT17 suppressed EC cell growth. We further showed the ablation of KRT17 led to the suppression of cell motility. Also, its depletion resulted in the inhibition of angiogenesis. We further demonstrated that KRT17 contributed to the progression of EC via regulating the HIF-1α/VEGF axis through a tumor growth assay in mice. In conclusion, KRT17 could serve as an EC target.