The Role of NFATC4 Gene in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Fengjuan Li; Hongquan Chen; Xiaoou Lu

doi:10.4103/ijd.ijd_837_22

The Role of NFATC4 Gene in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Indian J Dermatol. 2023 Mar-Apr;68(2):156-160. doi: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_837_22.

Authors

Fengjuan Li^{1

2}, Hongquan Chen¹, Xiaoou Lu¹

Affiliations

¹ From the Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao Shandong, China.
² Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Abstract

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 4 (NFATC4) has been implicated in keratinocyte development and several types of cancer. A well-defined role for NFATC4 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has not yet been established. In this study, NFATC4 gene function in CSCC development was examined. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of NFATC4 in CSCC tissues and controls. A431 and Colo16 cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion, and flow cytometry, respectively, after an NFATC4 expression lentivirus infection. Animal models were applied to validate the function of the NFATC4 gene. (1) CSCC tissues showed a significant decrease in NFATC4 expression compared to controls. (2) Overexpression of NFATc4 suppresses A431 and Colo16 cell proliferation and invasion but promotes cell apoptosis. (3) Mouse models overexpressing NFATC4 showed reduced tumourigenesis. It was suggested that NFATC4 might be a tumour suppressor gene in CSCC.

Keywords: Calcineurin; NFATC4; carcinogenesis; cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.