Open Access

Molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological characteristics of inhibin βA in thyroid cancer metastasis

  • Authors:
    • Wanjun Zhao
    • Weiyu Wang
    • Yifan Zhu
    • Zhenghua Lv
    • Wei Xu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 13, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5423
  • Article Number: 99
  • Copyright: © Zhao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of inhibin βA (INHBA) in thyroid cancer (TC), and to determine its potential impact on the aggressive behavior of TC cells. The present study employed a comprehensive approach, using public databases, such as the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas, to identify and analyze the expression of INHBA in TC. Cell transfection, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and in vivo assays were conducted to investigate the functional effects of INHBA on TC. In addition, the present study explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of INHBA, focusing on the potential impact on the RhoA signaling pathway and associated molecular cascades. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant association between INHBA expression and TC, and INHBA expression was markedly upregulated in TC tissues compared with in healthy control tissues. The results of functional studies demonstrated that INHBA overexpression increased the migration and invasion of TC cells, and the opposite result was observed following INHBA knockdown. Mechanistic investigations indicated that INHBA modulated the RhoA pathway, leading to alterations in the phosphorylation status of LIM kinase 1 (LIMK) and cofilin, key regulators of cytoskeletal dynamics and cell motility. Following the introduction of transfected TC cells into zebrafish and nude mouse models, the results of the present study demonstrated that INHBA knockdown attenuated the metastatic potential of TC cells. In conclusion, INHBA may serve a pivotal role in promoting the aggressive phenotype of TC cells through modulating the RhoA/LIMK/cofilin signaling axis. These findings highlight INHBA as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the management of aggressive TC.
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November-2024
Volume 54 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhao W, Wang W, Zhu Y, Lv Z and Xu W: Molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological characteristics of inhibin βA in thyroid cancer metastasis. Int J Mol Med 54: 99, 2024.
APA
Zhao, W., Wang, W., Zhu, Y., Lv, Z., & Xu, W. (2024). Molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological characteristics of inhibin βA in thyroid cancer metastasis. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 54, 99. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5423
MLA
Zhao, W., Wang, W., Zhu, Y., Lv, Z., Xu, W."Molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological characteristics of inhibin βA in thyroid cancer metastasis". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 54.5 (2024): 99.
Chicago
Zhao, W., Wang, W., Zhu, Y., Lv, Z., Xu, W."Molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological characteristics of inhibin βA in thyroid cancer metastasis". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 54, no. 5 (2024): 99. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5423