TROP2 modulates the progression in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TROP2) is frequently overexpressed in human cancers, influencing tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
• The specific role and molecular mechanisms of TROP2 in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression patterns of TROP2 in PTC.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying TROP2's function in PTC development.
• To explore the correlation between TROP2, ISG15, and the tumor immune microenvironment in PTC.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess TROP2 expression in PTC tissues and controls.
• Cell proliferation and invasion assays (cell cloning, Transwell) were performed on PTC cell lines.
• RNA sequencing, public data analysis, and gene correlation analysis were employed to investigate TROP2's mechanisms and its association with ISG15.

Main Results:

• TROP2 expression was significantly elevated in PTC compared to normal tissue.
• High TROP2 protein levels correlated with lymph node metastasis, larger tumor size, and capsular infiltration.
• TROP2 silencing inhibited PTC cell proliferation and migration; ISG15 levels showed an inverse correlation with TROP2 in cell lines but a positive correlation in patients.
• TROP2 interacted with ATP6V1A, CEBPA, and SOX5, influencing immune genes and correlating with tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

Conclusions:

• TROP2 plays a crucial role in promoting the development and progression of thyroid papillary carcinoma.
• TROP2 expression is linked to ISG15 and the tumor-infiltrating immune cell landscape in thyroid cancer, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.