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Biomarker function of HMGA2 in ultraviolet‐induced skin cancer development
Author(s) -
Ha Wootae,
Hinde Amanda,
Xie Lillian,
Trager Megan H.,
Liu Liang
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.14174
Subject(s) - biomarker , function (biology) , ultraviolet , skin cancer , cancer research , cancer , chemistry , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , materials science , optoelectronics
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.