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The expression of PEBP4 protein in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Gui-Ping Yu1, Guo-Qiang Chen, Song Wu
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College, No. 163, Shoushan Rd, Jiangyin, 214400, China.
Abstract:
The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (PEBP4) is a member of the PEBP family. It not only plays a role in the inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway but also is involved in the inhibition of the JNK pathway that promotes the activation of AKT. Recent research has also shown that overexpression of PEBP4 was related to the development, invasion, and metastasis of a variety of tumors. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between PEBP4 protein expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue and the clinical pathology of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect PEBP4 expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue and adjacent normal tissue from 61 patients. Western blotting was used to detect changes in the expression of PEBP4 protein between lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue and adjacent normal tissues. The correlation of PEBP4 expression and the occurrence, development, and clinical pathology of lung squamous cell carcinoma was analyzed. Of 61 patients, four patients were PEBP4 negative (-; 6.6%) and 57 patients were positive (+ to +++; 93.4%). Of those positive for PEBP4 expression, 7 patients were weakly positive (+; 11.5%), 21 patients were positive (++; 34.4%), and 29 patients were strongly positive (+++; 47.5%). PEBP4 protein was more highly expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue than in the adjacent normal lung tissue (p < 0.05). In PEBP4-positive patients, PEBP4 protein expression was significantly greater in those with lymph node metastases than in those without (p < 0.05). PEBP4 expression was significantly lower in patients at early (I and II) stages than in patients at advanced (III and IV) stages (p < 0.05). In less differentiated lung squamous cell carcinomas, PEBP4 protein expression was greater (p < 0.05); however, this was unrelated to the gender, age, or tumor size of the patient (p > 0.05). PEBP4 protein overexpression was associated with the occurrence, invasion, and metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Insights
Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (PEBP4) is overexpressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma, correlating with increased invasion and metastasis. This finding highlights PEBP4 as a potential biomarker for lung cancer progression and aggressiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (PEBP4) is implicated in tumor development, invasion, and metastasis.
- PEBP4 influences MAPK and JNK signaling pathways, affecting AKT activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between PEBP4 protein expression and the clinical pathology of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
- To analyze the association of PEBP4 with tumor occurrence, development, and metastasis in lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to quantify PEBP4 expression in 61 lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues.
- Western blotting was utilized to assess differential PEBP4 protein expression between tumor and normal tissues.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate PEBP4 levels with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- PEBP4 protein was significantly overexpressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues compared to normal tissues (p < 0.05).
- Higher PEBP4 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) and advanced tumor stages (III-IV) (p < 0.05).
- Increased PEBP4 levels were observed in poorly differentiated tumors, but not associated with gender, age, or tumor size.
Conclusions:
- PEBP4 protein overexpression is significantly associated with the occurrence, invasion, and metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma.
- PEBP4 may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting lung squamous cell carcinoma progression and aggressiveness.
- Targeting PEBP4 could offer a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.
