Abstract: Objective：To investigate the role of Hes1 in migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical cancer cells. Methods：Real time quantitative PCR（RT-qPCR） and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of Hes1 in four cervical cancer cell lines. Hes1 knockdown was performed by siRNA. The effects of down-regulation of Hes1 on migration and invasion in cervical cancer cells were evaluated by transwell assays. The main factors of epithelial-mesenchymal transition effected by Hes1 knock down were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results：The expressions of Hes1 mRNA in four cervical cancer cell lines showed statistic differences （ χ2=10.39，P=0.016）. Knockdown of Hes1 led to statistic differences in the numbers of cell passing through the chamber, between SiHa NC group and SiHa 1 group, HeLa NC group and HeLa 1 group（P＜0.05, both） in both migration assays and invasion assays. After Hes1 RNA interference, compared to blank and negative control, the expression of E-cadherin was significantly reduced in SiHa and HeLa（both P＜0.05）, while ZEB1，Slug were induced in SiHa（both P＜0.05）, and vimentin, Slug were induced in HeLa（both P＜0.05）. Conclusions：Hes1 may have a role in suppressing migration and invasion in SiHa, HeLa cells, and subsequent down-regulation induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, thereby suggesting a possible role in migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells mediated by epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Key words: Uterine cervical neoplasms, Cell movement, Neoplasm invasiveness, Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, Hes1