Tenascin C Enhances the Development of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and has Diagnostic Significance in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer, a subtype of which is papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Tenascin C (TNC) is associated with the proliferation and metastasis of medullary thyroid cancer cells. Accordingly, this work was attempted to explore the role of TNC in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The pathological data of PTMC patients were recorded and analyzed. A transplant tumor mouse model was established using TPC-1 cells. The tumor volume and weight were documented, and the cells in the tumor tissues were isolated and cultured. The expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin, and TNC in the tumor tissues, TPC-1 cells, and tumor cells were determined using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The viability, invasion, and migration of thyroid cells, PTC cells, and mouse tumor cells were further examined. TNC was upregulated in the serum of PTMC patients and PTC cells. PTMC patients with a higher level (≥ median) of TNC had more obvious lymph node metastasis and more severe tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage. TNC overexpression increased the viability, invasion, migration and Vimentin expression, while decreasing E-cadherin level in thyroid cells and PTC cells. TNC silencing reduced the tumor volume and weight, upregulated E-cadherin level in tumors, and also inhibited the viability, invasion, and migration of tumor cells. This work found that TNC enhances the development of PTC and serves as a promising diagnostic biomarker in PTMC.