Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Modulates E-Cadherin Expression and Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells

Context: Anaplastic thyroid cancer cells are characterized by a mesenchymal phenotype, as revealed by spindle-shaped cells and absent or reduced levels of E-cadherin. Epigenetic silencing is considered one of the leading mechanisms of E-cadherin impairment, which causes the acquisition of the invasive and metastatic phenotype of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Objectives: In this study we investigated the effects of histone deacetylase inhibition on E-cadherin expression, cell motility, and invasion in anaplastic thyroid cancer cell cultures. Design: Three stabilized cell lines and primary cultures of anaplastic thyroid cancer were treated with various histone deacetylase inhibitors. After treatment, we evaluated histone acetylation by Western blotting and E-cadherin expression by RT-real time PCR. The proper localization of E-cadherin/β-catenin complex was assessed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Transcription activity of β-catenin was measured by luciferase reporter gene and cyclin D1 expression. The...