Relationship between NDRG2 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung adenocarcinoma

HE Miao-qin; TIAN Lin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8096.2023.12.006

Abstract：Objective To investigate the relationship and clinical significance of N-myc downstream regulated gene 2(NDRG2)and epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT)in lung adenocarcinoma.Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the expression of NDRG2 and EMT related proteins E-cadherin and Vimentin in 104 lung adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues.The correlation between NDRG2 and EMT related proteins was analyzed,as well as the relationship between NDRG2 and clinical pathological characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma.Results The low expression rates of NDRG2 and E-cadherin in lung adenocarcinoma tissues were significantly different from those in adjacent tissues(P<0.001).The high expression rate of Vimentin in lung adenocarcinoma tissue was significantly different from that in adjacent tissues(P<0.001).Low expression of NDRG2 was significantly correlated with lung adenocarcinoma differentiation,pTNM staging,vascular and neural invasion,and lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between NDRG2 and E-cadherin expression(r=0.361,P<0.001),and a negative correlation with Vimentin expression(r=-0.243,P<0.001).Conclusion The low expression of NDRG2 in lung adenocarcinoma tissue is negatively correlated with the expression of EMT related proteins.The lack or downregulation of NDRG2 expression in lung adenocarcinoma may lead to the occurrence and development of EMT,thereby promoting tumor metastasis.