We also examined the relationship between the PSMD2, ASS1, LC3 and p62 expression levels determined by IHC staining in mice xenografts derived from ESCC cells with the PSMD2 expression changes, and the results were consistent with the in vitro findings that PSMD2 increases the expression of ASS1 and inhibits autophagy (Fig. 2H, I, Additional file 1: Fig. S4A–D). This evidence concerns the gene PSMD2 and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.