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LGALS2 suppresses the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway

Debin Xu1, Liangyun Guo2, Shuyong Zhang1

  • 1Department of Thyroid and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.

Gland Surgery
|October 12, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Galectin 2 (LGALS2) suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) progression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Reduced LGALS2 expression correlates with poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in PTC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The role of galectin 2 (LGALS2) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) pathogenesis is not well understood.
  • LGALS2 is implicated in the progression of various cancers, necessitating investigation in PTC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and mechanism of LGALS2 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).
  • To determine if LGALS2 expression levels correlate with PTC patient prognosis and clinicopathological features.

Main Methods:

  • Compared LGALS2 expression in 80 PTC tumor and paracancerous tissues using Western immunoblotting and qPCR.
  • Assessed LGALS2's role in PTC cell growth, apoptosis, and tumor progression in vitro and in vivo using overexpression and knockdown constructs.
  • Investigated the involvement of the PI3K/AKT pathway in LGALS2-mediated effects.

Main Results:

  • LGALS2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in PTC tumors and cell lines.
  • LGALS2 expression correlated with PTC patient prognosis and clinicopathological features.
  • LGALS2 suppressed PTC cell proliferation and apoptosis, and inhibited tumor growth in vivo, by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Conclusions:

  • LGALS2 acts as a tumor suppressor in PTC by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
  • Reduced LGALS2 expression is associated with unfavorable prognosis in PTC patients.
  • LGALS2 represents a promising therapeutic target for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Keywords:
LGALS2apoptosispapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)prognosisproliferation

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