CAV2 promotes the growth of renal cell carcinoma through the EGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway

Figures & data

Figure 1 CAV2 expression was elevated and associated with poor outcome in renal cell carcinoma.

Notes: The mRNA expression of CAV2 in renal cell carcinoma was analyzed. Data derived from the ONCOMINE database. The mRNA expression of CAV2 in renal cell cancer was increased compared to normal renal tissues (A–F). Evaluation of the CAV2 genes with OS was performed using the Online Tool (https://www.proteinatlas.org/; G).
Abbreviations: CAV2, Caveolin-2; OS, overall survival.

Table 1 Association of CAV2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics in 86 patients of kidney cancer

Characteristics	No of patients (n=96)	CAV2 expression		P-value
		Low no (%)	High no (%)
Age (years)				>0.05
<50	36	19 (52.78%)	17 (47.22%)
≥50	60	34 (56.67%)	26 (43.33%)
Normal tissues	10	10 (100%)	0 (0%)	<0.05
Cancer tissues	86	43 (50.00%)	43 (50.00%)
FIGO stage
I/II	70	41 (58.57%)	29 (41.12%)	<0.05
III/IV	16	2 (12.50%)	14 (87.50%)
Grade
1	56	37 (66.07%)	19 (33.93%)
2	22	5 (22.73%)	17 (77.27%)
3	8	1 (12.50%)	7 (87.50%)
		Grade 2–3 versus 1		<0.05

Abbreviations: CAV2, Caveolin-2; FIGO, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Figure 2 CAV2 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Notes: CAV2 was located in cytoplasmic and membranous (A). The expression of CAV2 in renal cell cancer tissues (B) was increased compared to the normal renal tissues (A). 200× original.
Abbreviation: CAV2, Caveolin-2.

Figure 3 CAV2 regulates cellular proliferation, migration and invasion.

Notes: (A) CAV2 mRNA and protein level were downregulated by infected with LV3-shCAV2-1 or LV3-shCAV2-2. (B) Renal cell cancer OS-RC-2 cells were infected with LV3-NC, LV3-shCAV2-1 or LV3-shCAV2-2. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8. (C, D) Renal cell cancer OS-RC-2 cells migration ability was detected by the wound healing assay. The migration of LV3-shCAV2-1 or LV3-shCAV2-2 infected OS-RC-2 cells was lower as compared with LV3-NC infected cells. (E, F) Renal cell cancer OS-RC-2 cells invasion ability was detected by Matrigel invasion assays. The invasion ability of LV3-shCAV2-1 or LV3-shCAV2-2 infected OS-RC-2 cells was decreased compared with LV3-NC infected cells. Original magnification, 200× original. Error bars represent standard error. *P<0.05.
Abbreviation: CAV2, Caveolin-2.

Figure 4 CAV2 regulates the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Notes: (A–C) The correlation between CAV2 and EGFR/PI3K/AKT were analyzed using the Online Tool (http://gepia.cancer-pku.cn/). (D) Silencing CAV2 inhibited the expression of EGFR, PI3K and p-AKT. (E) The relative protein expression. Error bars represent standard error. *P<0.05; **P<0.001.
Abbreviations: CAV2, Caveolin-2; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; P13K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; Akt, protein kinase B.

Figure 5 CAV2 regulated tumorigenesis in nude mice model.

Notes: (A–C) Mean tumor volume and weight on day 28 after tumor cell injection. LV3-shCAV2-1 or LV3-NC infected OS-RC-2 cells were implanted s.c. into the left armpit. (D) Immunohistochemical analysis of CAV2, EGFR, PI3K and p-AKT expression were performed on tumor xenografts. Representative images are shown (original magnification ×200). *P<0.05.
Abbreviations: CAV2, Caveolin-2; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; P13K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; Akt, protein kinase B.