Agrin is a novel oncogenic protein in thyroid cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Agrin (AGRN), a matricellular glycoprotein, is implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
• The specific role of AGRN in thyroid cancer (TC) pathogenesis is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of AGRN in thyroid cancer (TC) development and progression.
• To analyze AGRN expression levels in various TC subtypes and cell lines.
• To evaluate the impact of AGRN on TC cell behavior and its association with immune infiltration.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of AGRN expression in TC cell lines (CGTH, FTC-133, BcPAP) and patient transcriptomic data.
• In vitro assays including migration, invasion, viability, and proliferation assays.
• Western blot analysis for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and immunocytochemistry for AGRN localization.

Main Results:

• AGRN expression was significantly elevated in thyroid tumors and TC cell lines, particularly in follicular and papillary subtypes.
• Nuclear localization of AGRN was observed in both normal and TC cells.
• Silencing AGRN diminished TC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, accompanied by altered expression of EMT markers (vimentin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin).
• Elevated AGRN expression correlated with increased neutrophil infiltration in thyroid tumors.

Conclusions:

• Increased AGRN expression promotes tumorigenic phenotypes in thyroid cancer cells.
• AGRN expression is associated with immune infiltration in thyroid tumors.
• AGRN represents a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancer, warranting further investigation.