HTR3A Promotes Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Through the FOXH1/Wnt3A Signaling Pathway

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HTRs) are strongly correlated with tumor progression in various types of cancer. Despite this, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the role of 5-HTRs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A) and NSCLC development. Our findings indicated a higher distribution of HTR3A expression in NSCLC tissues when compared with normal tissues, where patients with high HTR3A levels demonstrated shorter overall survival times. In vitro analyses revealed that overexpression of HTR3A facilitated the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cell lines (A549 and NCI-H3255). Similarly, a notable acceleration of tumor growth and enhanced pulmonary tumorigenic potential were observed in HTR3A-overexpressing tumor-bearing mice. Mechanistically, upregulation of Forkhead Box H1 (FOXH1) by HTR3A led to the activation of Wnt3A/β-catenin signaling pathways, thereby promoting the development of NSCLC. Our report thus highlights the significance of the HTR3A/FOXH1 axis during tumor progression in NSCLC, proposing HTR3A as a possible diagnostic indicator and candidate target for clinical therapy.