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LncRNA KLK8 modulates stem cell characteristics in colon cancer

Kuangjing Wang1, Wei Song2, Yingzhou Shen3

  • 1Department of Digestive Endoscopy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Ma'anshan People's Hospital, Ma'anshan, China.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|July 16, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Kallikrein-8 (KLK8) is upregulated in colon cancer and correlates with cancer stem cells (CSCs). KLK8 shows potential as a biomarker for diagnosing and predicting prognosis in colon cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally, with high recurrence and metastasis rates.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in poor colon cancer prognosis.
  • Understanding the interplay between CSCs and lncRNAs is crucial for clinical advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of KLK8 in colon cancer.
  • To explore the correlation between KLK8 expression and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colon cancer.
  • To evaluate KLK8 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure KLK8 expression in colon cancer tissues.
  • Culturing of colon cancer-derived CSCs to form sphere-like aggregates.
  • qRT-PCR and Western blotting to assess CSCs markers (CD44, Sox2, Oct4, Nanog).

Main Results:

  • KLK8 expression was significantly higher in colon cancer tissues than in normal tissues.
  • KLK8 levels correlated with tumor size, TNM stage, and metastasis.
  • KLK8 expression positively correlated with CSCs-related genes in colon cancer.

Conclusions:

  • KLK8 is upregulated in colon cancer and associated with aggressive features.
  • KLK8 expression correlates with cancer stem cell markers.
  • KLK8 may serve as a valuable prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for colon cancer.
Keywords:
Cancer stem cellsColon cancerKLK8

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