Junctional Adhesion Molecule-Like Protein Promotes Tumor Progression and Metastasis via p38 Signaling Pathway in Gastric Cancer

Yuying Fang; Yuying Fang; Jianmin Yang; Guohong Zu; Guohong Zu; Changsheng Cong; Changsheng Cong; Shuai Liu; Shuai Liu; Fei Xue; Shuzhen Ma; Shuzhen Ma; Jie Liu; Jie Liu; Yuping Sun; Yuping Sun; Meili Sun; Meili Sun; Meili Sun

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.565676

Frontiers in Oncology (Mar 2021)

Junctional Adhesion Molecule-Like Protein Promotes Tumor Progression and Metastasis via p38 Signaling Pathway in Gastric Cancer

Yuying Fang,
Yuying Fang,
Jianmin Yang,
Guohong Zu,
Guohong Zu,
Changsheng Cong,
Changsheng Cong,
Shuai Liu,
Shuai Liu,
Fei Xue,
Shuzhen Ma,
Shuzhen Ma,
Jie Liu,
Jie Liu,
Yuping Sun,
Yuping Sun,
Meili Sun,
Meili Sun,
Meili Sun

Affiliations

Yuying Fang: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Yuying Fang: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Jianmin Yang: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Guohong Zu: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Guohong Zu: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Changsheng Cong: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Changsheng Cong: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Shuai Liu: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Shuai Liu: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Fei Xue: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Shuzhen Ma: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Shuzhen Ma: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Jie Liu: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Jie Liu: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Yuping Sun: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Yuping Sun: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Meili Sun: Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Meili Sun: Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
Meili Sun: Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Shandong First Medical University, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.565676
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML), a newly discovered junctional adhesion molecule (JAM), mediates the adhesion and migration processes of various immune cells and endothelial/epithelial cells, ultimately regulating inflammation reaction. However, its role in tumors remains to be determined. The expression of JAML was examined in gastric cancer (GC) and peritumoral tissues from 63 patients. The relationship between JAML expression and clinical characteristics was also observed. In vitro, GC cell migration and proliferation were assessed by wound healing assay, transwell migration assay and EdU incorporation assay. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that JAML expression level was higher in GC tissues than in peritumoral tissues. High expression of JAML in cancer tissues was associated with worse cell differentiation, local lymph node involvement, deep infiltration, and advanced stage. In vitro, we found that JAML silencing inhibited GC cell migration and proliferation, while JAML overexpression promoted GC cell migration and proliferation, partially via p38 signaling. Taken together, our study revealed a critical role for JAML to promote GC cell migration and proliferation. JAML might be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Published in Frontiers in Oncology

ISSN: 2234-943X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/

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