LAPTM4B-35 promotes the progression of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common type of malignancy affecting the salivary glands. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of lysosome-associated transmembrane protein 4β (LAPTM4B) in the development and progression of various tumors. However, its specific role in MEC has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of LAPTM4B-35 in MEC tissue samples and explore its association with clinicopathological features. Additionally, we sought to inhibit the expression of LAPTM4B-35 in an MEC cell line and assess its impact on proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Our findings revealed upregulated expression of LAPTM4B-35 protein in MEC tissues. Furthermore, we observed that LAPTM4B-35 overexpression correlated with high histological grade and advanced clinical stages in MEC patients. To determine the functional significance of LAPTM4B-35, we performed knockdown experiments in MEC cells, which resulted in reduced proliferation and invasion ability, increased apoptosis rates, and altered cell cycle distribution. Taken together, these results suggest that LAPTM4B-35 may play a crucial role in the development of MEC and could potentially serve as a target for individualized therapy.