Title:JNK2 Promotes Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via
Inhibiting Axin2
Volume: 29
Issue: 37
Author(s): Lulu Wang, Meng Guo, Li Gao, Kai Liu, Jiawei Bai and Zhiguo Liu*
Affiliation:
- Fourth Medical Center
of PLA General Hospital, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Medical University (Fourth Military Medical University),
Xi’an, China
Keywords:
JNK2, WNT, Axin2, proliferation, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, MAPKK.
Abstract:
Introduction: The dysregulation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway has been increasingly
reported in human malignancies. Aberrant expression of the JNK pathway has also been implicated in
the progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC). However, the specific role and regulatory
mechanisms of JNK2 in ESCC have not been extensively investigated.
Methods: In this study, we examined JNK2 expression in patient samples and performed experiments involving
the knockdown and inhibition of the JNK2 in ESCC cell lines.
Results: Higher JNK2 expression was observed in tumor tissues compared to adjacent tissues. JNK2 overexpression
was associated with advanced disease stages and poor prognosis. Furthermore, knockdown or inhibition
of JNK2 in ESCC cell lines resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and migration.
Conclusion: Additionally, a significant decrease in the expression of β-catenin and vimentin, along with an increase
in the expression of Axin2, was observed upon downregulation of JNK2. Our study provides insight into
the role of JNK2 in ESCC and its potential regulatory mechanism, offering a potential therapeutic strategy
for ESCC patients with aberrant JNK2 expression.
