Upregulated osterix promotes invasion and bone metastasis and predicts for a poor prognosis in breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: Approximately 70% of patients with advanced breast cancer develop bone metastases, accompanied by complications, such as bone pain, fracture, and hypercalcemia. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern this process remains fragmentary. Osterix (Osx) is a zinc finger-containing transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Here, we identified the functional roles of Osx in facilitating breast cancer invasion and bone metastasis. Osx upregulation was associated with lymph node metastasis and was negatively prognostic for overall survival. Knockdown of Osx inhibited invasion of breast cancer and osteolytic metastasis by downregulating MMP9, MMP13, VEGF, IL-8, and PTHrP, which are involved in invasion, angiogenesis, and osteolysis;

SUBMITTER: Yao B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6328543 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature