Work

Biomarker function of HMGA2 in ultraviolet‐induced skin cancer development

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: The high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) gene encodes a transcription factor that is expressed during embryonic development but down-regulated in adult tissues. Its re-expression in adult tissues is often associated with tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that HMGA2 is highly expressed in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines and primary SCC tumors, but not in adjacent normal skin. In non-ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated mouse skin, baseline Hmga2 expression was detected in the epidermis but not in hair follicles. Following chronic UV exposure, we found activation of Hmga2 in hair follicles. UV-induced mouse skin SCC tumors displayed a ubiquitous increase in Hmga2 expression compared to non-tumor-bearing adjacent skin. In human SCC cells, decreased HMGA2 expression was linked with reduced cell proliferation following depletion of FOXM1 and TRIP13, two UV master regulator genes. Taken together, these findings highlight an important biomarker function of HMGA2 expression in UV-induced skin tumorigenesis and cell proliferation.

Source: Experimental Dermatology

DOI: 10.1111/exd.14174

Authors: Wootae Ha, Amanda Hinde, Lillian Xie, Megan H. Trager, Liang Liu

Institutions: University of Minnesota, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Hormel Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases