Background: Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) is an important gene that has been implicated in the progression of human cancer. Aberrant expression of RUNX2 predicts gastric cancer (GC) metastasis. However, the molecular mechanism of RUNX2 remains unknown.
Objective: We hypothesize that RUNX2 promotes GC metastasis by regulating the extracellular matrix component collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1).
Methods: The GEPIA database and immunohistochemical staining of 60 GC tissues were used to analyse the correlations between RUNX2 or COL1A1 expression and clinicopathological features, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival. RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect RUNX2 and COL1A1 expression in GC cells. Migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the influence of RUNX2 and COL1A1 on metastasis.
Results: RUNX2 and COL1A1 were highly expressed at both the gene and protein levels in GC, and patients who were positive for RUNX2 and COL1A1 had shorter survival. RUNX2 and COL1A1 expression linearly correlated with each other (r= 0.15, p< 0.01) and with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (p< 0.05). Overexpressing RUNX2in vitro enhanced COL1A1 expression and promoted GC cell invasion and migration, whereas COL1A1 knockdown inhibited the increase in cell metastatic capacity promoted by RUNX2. In vivo, GC cells overexpressing RUNX2 promoted lung metastasis, and the downregulation of COL1A1 reduced the metastasis promoted by RUNX2.
Conclusions: RUNX2 may promote GC metastasis by regulating COL1A1. RUNX2/COL1A1 can be employed as a novel target for therapy in GC.
Keywords: COL1A1; RUNX2; gastric cancer; metastasis.