TGFbeta1 -mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition is accompanied by invasion in the SiHa cell line.

It has recently been suggested by several investigators that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing capacity of TGFbetas contributes to invasive transition of tumors at later stages of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we examined the possibility of TGFbeta1-stimulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in SiHa cell line, detailed molecular events in the process, and its possible contribution to the invasive transition of tumors. TGFbeta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of SiHa cells was based on morphological and biochemical criteria; actin stress fiber formation, focal translocalization of integrin alphav, talin, and vinculin, fibronectin-based matrix assembly at the cell periphery, and translocalization and down-regulation of E-cadherin.