RNA-Seq analysis reveals regulatory networks driven by EpCAM overexpression in esophageal adenocarcinoma cells

TL;DR

This study shows that EpCAM overexpression in esophageal cancer cells promotes aggressive traits and alters gene activity linked to cell adhesion and matrix remodeling.

Contribution

The study identifies novel EpCAM-driven regulatory networks and key hub genes in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Findings

EpCAM overexpression increases cell migration, adhesion, and invasion in ESCA cells.

RNA-Seq reveals 797 differentially expressed genes linked to cell adhesion and ECM processes.

qPCR confirms upregulation of COL1A1 and PXDN, supporting ECM remodeling as a downstream effect of EpCAM.

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is a formidable malignancy, presenting a significant health challenge due to its widespread prevalence and associated high mortality rates. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), a pro-oncogenic glycoprotein, has been identified as an upregulated protein in esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESCA) through multi-OMICS platforms. However, its functional role in ESCA remains relatively understudied. Here, we investigated the contribution of EpCAM to ESCA pathogenesis using an EpCAM-null ESCA cell line, FLO-1, as a gain-of-function model. Introduction of a recombinant EpCAM–GFP fusion construct into FLO-1 cells resulted in enhanced cell migration, adhesion, clonogenic survival, and invasive capacity, supporting a pro-tumorigenic role for EpCAM. To define EpCAM-associated regulatory networks, RNA sequencing was performed on EpCAM-overexpressing cells, revealing 797 differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analyses indicated significant involvement of pathways related to cell adhesion, cell motility, transmembrane activity, and neuronal-associated processes, with enrichment in plasma membrane, focal adhesion, and neuron projection terminus compartments. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified key hub genes, including SOX2, COL1A1, LOX, COL3A1, LUM, PXDN, BDNF, NCAM1, TLR2, and CCL5, linking EpCAM signaling to PI3K–Akt, ECM–receptor interaction, and focal adhesion pathways. Importantly, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) validation of selected hub genes confirmed significant upregulation of the extracellular matrix components COL1A1 and PXDN in EpCAM-overexpressing FLO-1 cells, supporting the transcriptomic predictions and implicating ECM remodeling as a downstream consequence of EpCAM signaling. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that EpCAM promotes aggressive cellular phenotypes in ESCA and drives transcriptional programs associated with adhesion, invasion, and extracellular matrix regulation, highlighting potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in EpCAM-driven ESCA.

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