LAPTM4B promotes the progression of nasopharyngeal cancer

Qun Su,Hongtao Luo,Fengju Zhao,Liying Gao,Ming Zhang

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2020.4738

Abstract

Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a protein that contains four transmembrane domains. The impact of LAPTM4B on the malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of LAPTM4B in NPC. NPC tissue samples were used to evaluate the expression of LAPTM4B and its relationship with patient prognosis. Furthermore, we inhibited the expression of LAPTM4B in NPC cell lines and examined the effects of LAPTM4B on NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We found that LAPTM4B protein was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and intracellular membranes of NPC cells. LAPTM4B protein was upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. High LAPTM4B expression was closely related to pathological subtypes and disease stages in NPC patients. NPC patients with high LAPTM4B expression had a worse prognosis. LAPTM4B knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of NPC cells. LAPTM4B plays a cancer-promoting role in the progression of NPC and may be a potential target for NPC therapy.

Highlights

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originating from nasopharyngeal mucosal epithelial cells, which usually occurs in the pharyngeal recess
The relationship www.bjbms.org between Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) mRNA expression and the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues (HNSC) patients was predicted by gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA)
The results showed that high LAPTM4B expression implies a worse prognosis for HNSC patients (Figure 1C)

Summary

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor originating from nasopharyngeal mucosal epithelial cells, which usually occurs in the pharyngeal recess. Compared with other malignant solid tumors, NPC shows lower morbidity and mortality rates. According to global cancer statistics, approximately 130,000 new NPC cases occur each year worldwide, accounting for 0.7% of all cancers [1]. In the southern region of China, the incidence of NPC is quite high: three cases per 100,000 individuals [2]. Approximately 70% of NPC patients are already in stage III or IV at the time of diagnosis [3]. The continuous progress of clinical/scientific research led to the development of comprehensive radiotherapy-based anti-tumor treatment, which has greatly reduced the mortality of NPC patients.

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