THBS1 upregulation by KLF7 in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma contributes to lung metastasis through the p38 MAPK signaling

iScience 2026 Open access

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Authors: Huijuan Cheng, Dongfang Tang, Shousen Hu, Zizi Zhang, Weiwei Wang
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.114816
Cited by: 0
References: 41

Abstract

lung metastasis model in nude mice was constructed by the tail vein injection of FaDu cells. HDAC6 expression was significantly downregulated in HPSCC, losing the removal capacity of H3K9ac marks at the KLF7 promoter, leading to the upregulation of KLF7, which in turn induced THBS1 transcription to activate p38 MAPK signaling and promote the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lung metastasis of HPSCC cells. These findings indicate that HDAC6 hinders KLF7/THBS1/p38 MAPK axis transduction and curtails HPSCC malignant progression by impairing EMT.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Kruppel-like factors research Mechanisms of cancer metastasis Cancer Cells and Metastasis

Publication details

Journal / source
iScience
Volume
29
Issue
3
Pages
114816–114816
Publication date
28 January 2026
Language
EN