Heat shock transcription factor 1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells

Abstract Objectives Osteosarcoma is the most commonly diagnosed primary malignancy of bone and its overall survival rate is still very low. The molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of osteosarcoma have not been clearly illuminated. Heat shock transcription factor 1 ( HSF 1) is a key regulator of the heat shock response and also plays important roles in many cancers, but its function in osteosarcoma remains unexplored. Materials and methods In this study, the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays and colony formation assays. Transwell assays were used to demonstrate the migration and invasion abilities of osteosarcoma cells. A tumour formation assay in a nude mouse model was performed to assess the effect of HSF 1 on osteosarcoma cell growth in vivo. The protein levels of HSF 1 were analysed with immunohistochemical staining in samples from osteosarcoma patients. Results We demonstrated that knockdown of HSF 1 reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells, while overexpression of HSF 1 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, HSF 1 promoted the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in vivo. In addition, high levels of HSF 1 were associated with a poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Conclusions These data highlight an important role of HSF 1 in proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, the expression of HSF 1 was associated with prognosis in osteosarcoma.