FAP Serves as a Prognostic Biomarker in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Figure 5

Deciphering the role of FAP in extracellular matrix regulation and EMT process through key mediators. (a) The correlation analysis between FAP expression and EMT score. (b) Western blot results showed a noteworthy downregulation of SNAIL1, SLUG, and LAMA3 after the knockout of FAP in SCC15 cells. (c) The reduction was further verified through qPCR assessments. (d and e) Transwell invasion assays confirmed a pronounced decrease in the cells’ invasive capacity following FAP removal. (f) Conversely, the overexpression of FAP led to a marked increase in the levels of SNAIL1, SLUG, and LAMA3, as demonstrated by western blot assays. (g) The upregulation was further substantiated using qPCR tests. (h and i) Complementary transwell invasion assays on the control, and FAP-overexpressed groups revealed a significant escalation in cellular invasiveness after FAP augmentation. .

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