Down-Regulated CMTM2 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Shidong Zhang1, Run Tian1, Chunhua Bei1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.

Oncotargets and Therapy
|July 2, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Down-regulated chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family member 2 (CMTM2) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. Reduced CMTM2 expression enhances HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family member 2 (CMTM2) is deregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • CMTM2 functions as a potential tumor suppressor in HCC.
  • The precise mechanism of CMTM2 in HCC progression remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which CMTM2 influences HCC occurrence and development.
  • To investigate the role of CMTM2 in HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.
  • To analyze the correlation between CMTM2 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in HCC tissues.

Main Methods:

  • CMTM2 expression was suppressed using RNA interference in HCC cell lines (Huh-7 and SMMC7721).
  • Cell proliferation was assessed via CCK-8 assay and colony formation assays.
  • Cell invasion and migration were evaluated using wound healing and Transwell assays.

Main Results:

  • CMTM2 knockdown significantly increased HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.
  • Down-regulated CMTM2 induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in HCC cells.
  • Both CMTM2 and E-cadherin expression were decreased in HCC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, with a positive correlation between them.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced CMTM2 expression promotes HCC metastasis by inducing EMT.
  • CMTM2 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC by inhibiting EMT and metastasis.
  • Findings highlight CMTM2 as a potential therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Keywords:
CMTM family membersCMTM2EMTHCCmetastasis

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