Objective:To investigate the expression of double-stranded RNA-binding protein nuclear factor 45 (NF45) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and the effect of NF45 on the radiation sensitivity of LSCC cells and its mechanism.Methods:NF45 expression in LSCC and adjacent tissues was detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining. The NF45-ShRNA lentivirus was transfected into Hep-2 cells, and cell transfection efficiency was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot . Hep-2 cells were randomly divided into the control group, 2 Gy group, sh-NC+2 Gy group and sh-NF45+2 Gy group. Lentivirus infection and 2Gy X-ray irradiation treatment were carried out. Cell proliferation activity was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. Hep-2 cells in each group were treated with mCherry-EGFP-LC3B. The levels of autophagy were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The ratio of autophagy-related protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and the expression levels of Beclin-1 and p62 proteins were determined by Western blot.Results:The expression level of NF45 in LSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues ( P<0.01). The relative expression levels of NF45 mRNA and protein in Hep-2 cells infected with NF45-shRNA were significantly lower than those in the control and sh-NC groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the cell proliferation activity was decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the intracellular autophagy-lysosome were increased, the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ was increased, the relative expression levels of Beclin-1 protein were up-regulated, and the relative expression levels of p62 protein were down-regulated in the 2 Gy, sh-NC+2 Gy and sh-NF45+2 Gy groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the 2 Gy group, the cell proliferation activity was decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the intracellular autophagy lysosomes were increased, the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio was increased, the relative expression of Beclin-1 protein was up-regulated, and the relative expression of p62 protein was down-regulated in the sh-NF45+2 Gy group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The expression of NF45 is up-regulated in LSCC tissues. Targeted down-regulation of NF45 expression can inhibit the proliferation activity of LSCC cells, promote cell apoptosis, and improve the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of autophagy levels.