Expression and Function of HAX-1 in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

HAX-1 is an anti-apoptotic factor and overexpressed in many types of cancers. However, the functional role of HAX-1 in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the expression of HAX-1 in cSCC and its relationship with the development of cSCC. HAX-1 expression in cSCC tissues and in-vitro cell models were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. And the RNAi strategy was used to observe the relationship of HAX-1 and cSCC in A431 cells. The mRNA and protein level of HAX-1 were significantly higher in cSCC compared with normal tissue. There were significant differences in thickness (P=0.014), differentiation (P=0.027) and TNM stages (P=0.007). After knockdown the expression of HAX-1 by siRNA, the proliferation and the motility of A431 cell was inhibited obviously, and the apoptosis of A431 cells were induced too. HAX-1 may be a risk factor for patients with cSCC. As a potential tumor promoter in cSCC, HAX-1 may be a novel potential therapeutic target for cSCC treatment and deserves further investigation.