GINS2 promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma progression and immune evasion by recruiting PD-L1⁺ neutrophils and modulating the PTP4A1/PKM2 axis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The GINS complex subunit 2 (GINS2) is crucial for DNA replication, but its specific roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) pathogenesis and tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation are poorly defined.

Methods

GINS2 expression was analyzed using TCGA data and validated in OSCC patient tissues and cell lines via qPCR, Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Functional assays (CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell invasion) and in vivo xenograft models assessed the impact of GINS2 knockdown (sh-GINS2) or overexpression (OE-GINS2) on OSCC cell behavior and tumorigenesis. Mechanistic links involving PTP4A1 and PKM2 were explored using Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence (IF). Immune correlations were assessed in TC

SUBMITTER: Wei B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12658745 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature