Relationship between expressions of KLF5,YAP1 and E-cadherin in tissues and lymph node metastasis in patients with colon cancer

Chen Jing; Lu Hanjie; Wu Yang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-8521.2025.04.012

Abstract：Objective:To analyze the expressions of Krüppel-like factor 5(KLF5),Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)and E-cadherin in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of patients with colon cancer,and to explore the relationship between their levels and lymph node metastasis.Methods:The clinical data of 450 patients with colon cancer admitted to Luoyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from May 2021 to May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues samples of the patients were obtained through intraoperative resetion.The expressions of KLF5,YAP1 and E-cadherin were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.The patients were divided into lymph node metastasis group(n=134)and non-lymph node metastasis group(n=316)according to whether lymph node metastasis occurred.The clinicopathological characteristics of the two groups were compared.To analyze the relationship between KLF5,YAP1,E-cadherin and lymph node metastasis and the influencing factors of lymph node metastasis in patients with colon cancer.Results:The positive expression rates of KLF5 and YAP1 in colon cancer tissues[65.65%(295/450)and 62.89%(283/450)]and the protein expression levels(2.89±0.53 and 3.11±0.75)were both higher than those in adjacent tissues[29.33%(132/450)],32.67%(147/450),1.08±0.31,1.02±0.33;χ2=118.394 and 82.367;t=62.534 and 54.108,P＜0.001].However,the positive expression rate of E-cadherin[38.00%(171/450)]and the protein expression level(0.68±0.12)in colon cancer tissues were lower than those in adjacent tissues[76.89%(346/450)and 0.97±0.23;χ2=139.197,t=23.714,P＜0.001].The proportions of patients with tumor diameter≥5 cm,low differentiation or undifferentiation and TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ in lymph node metastasis group[44.03%(59/134),57.46%(77/134),and 39.55%(53/134)]were higher than those in non-lymph node metastasis group[32.28%(102/316),44.62%(141/316),28.80%(91/316);χ2=5.655,6.214,and 5.002(P＜0.05)].The protein levels of KLF5 and YAP1 in the lymph node metastasis group(3.52±0.51 and 3.65±0.67)were higher than those in non-metastasis group(2.62±0.40 and 2.88±0.37),t=20.044 and 15.591,P＜0.001),and positively correlated with lymph node metastasis(r=0.524 and 0.483,P＜0.001).The protein level of E-cadherin in the lymph node metastasis group was lower than that in the non-lymph node metastasis group(0.49±0.11 vs.0.76±0.15);t=18.798,P＜0.001),and it was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis(r=-0.569,P＜0.001).The expression of KLF5 and YAP1 were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in patients with colon cancer,while E-cadherin protein expression was an independent protective factor(P＜0.05).Conclusions:KLF5,YAP1 and E-cadherin can be used as biomarkers to predict the prognosis of colon cancer.