E74 like ETS transcription factor 3 (ELF3) is a negative regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder carcinoma

Transcription factors are known to be commonly deregulated in various cancers. The E74 like ETS transcription factor 3 (ELF3) expression is restricted to epithelial tissue. In the present study, we evaluated the role of ELF3 in the pathogenesis of bladder carcinoma (BCa) using cell line model. The cell lines with low expression of ELF3 showed increased expression of mesenchymal markers and decreased expression of epithelial markers. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical analysis of ELF3 showed selective expression in low-grade BCa cell lines and tumor tissues, respectively. We demonstrated that overexpression of ELF3 in UMUC3, a mesenchymal BCa cell line resulted in reduced invasion and decreased expression of mesenchymal markers. Furthermore, using publicly available data, we found that low expression of ELF3 was associated with increased risk and poor overall survival rate in BCa. In conclusion, ELF3-modulated reversal of EMT might be a useful strategy in the treatment of bladder cancer.