Abstract:

Objective To analyze the induction effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum（Fn）on autophagy regulatory protein LC3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma（ESCC）cells and explore its clinical significance. Methods The KYSE150 cell line with LC3 knockdown was established. Western blot，plate cloning，scratch test and Transwell were used to detect the effects of Fn and LC3 on the malignant biological behavior of KYSE150 cells. Fn infection and LC3 expression in ESCC tissues were detected by RNAscope and immunohistochemistry. Kaplan⁃ Meier method was used to analyze the effects of Fn infection and LC3 expression on the survival phasein patients. Results As KYSE150 cells were infected with Fn，the expression of LC3 increased and the malignant biological behavior enhanced；following LC3 was knocked down，the malignant biological behavior reduced（P < 0.05）. Infection of Fn in ESCC tissues was consistent with high expression of LC3（P < 0.05）. The survival phase was shortened in the patients with both Fn infection and positive expression of LC3（P < 0.05）. Conclusions Fn can accelerate malignant progression of ESCC by inducing high LC3 expression in ESCC cells，enriching autophago⁃ somes，and providing conditions for self⁃colonization.

Key words:

esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Fusobacterium nucleatum, autophagosome, LC3, prognosis