OncoTargets and Therapy (Jul 2018)
MFAP2 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells by activating TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway
Abstract
Jian-Kai Wang,1 Wen-Juan Wang,2 Hong-Yi Cai,1 Bin-Bin Du,3 Ping Mai,4 Li-Juan Zhang,1 Wen Ma,1 Yong-Guo Hu,1 Shi-Fang Feng,1 Guo-Ying Miao1 1Department of Radiotherapy, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China; 2Physical Examination Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Gansu, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China; 3Department of Anorectal Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China; 4Department of Gastroenterology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China Introduction: Microfibril-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) is an extracellular matrix protein that interacts with fibrillin to modulate the function of microfibrils. MFAP2 has been reported to play a significant role in obesity, diabetes, and osteopenia, and has been shown to be upregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, the molecular function and prognostic value of MFAP2 have never been reported in gastric cancer (GC) or any other tumors. Methods: The current study investigated the expression patterns, prognostic significance, functional role, and possible mechanisms of MFAP2 in GC. Results: We demonstrated that MFAP2 was overexpressed in GC tissues, and its overexpression was significantly correlated with poor overall and disease-free survival in patients with GC. Moreover, we found that MFAP2 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in GC cells. MFAP2 might modulate EMT of GC cells by activating the TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. Conclusion: These findings provide novel evidence that MFAP2 plays a crucial role in the progression of GC. Therefore, MFAP2 may be a promising prognostic marker and a potent anticancer agent. Keywords: gastric cancer, MFAP2, prognosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, TGF-β
