Relationship between inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 and ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) protein is involved in the development of tumors. However, the relationship between ITIH4 and ovarian cancer (OC) has not been extensively examined. This study aimed to explore the effect of ITIH4 on OC and to identify its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Expressions of ITIH4 in OC tissues and cells were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blots. The function of ITIH4 in the OC cell line HO8910pm was tested via ITIH4 knockdown. The cell growth rate was measured using MTT and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate cell cycle progression. Cell migration and invasion abilities were observed using the transwell migration assay. RESULTS: ITIH4 was downregulated in OC tissues and cells. ITIH4 knockdown promoted cell growth and cell cycle progression. Consistent with these results, inhibition of ITIH4 in OC cells significantly increased cell migration and invasion abilities. Cox regression analysis suggests that ITIH4 expression alone is not a good predictor of the prognosis of malignant ovarian tumors in patients. CONCLUSIONS: ITIH4 inhibits the progression of OC, suggesting that ITIH4 may be a useful biomarker for OC. This study may provide a potential novel target for the treatment of OC.