The role of PTPN13 in invasion and metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma

•PTPN13 expression was down-regulated in lung squamous cell carcinoma.•PTPN13 expression was negatively correlated with the cancer grade and stage.•Phosphorylated FAK had a negative correlation with the PTPN13 expression.

ObjectivesPTPN13 is a new candidate tumor-suppressing gene. To investigate the PTPN13 expression and its potential function in the invasion and metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), we performed this study in 91 primary LSCC tissues and the adjacent non-cancerous tissues.MethodsThe mRNA expression of PTPN13 and FAK was quantitated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of PTPN13, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphorylated FAK (P-FAK) was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. The association among PTPN13 expression, FAK expression and the clinicopathological parameters were analyzed.ResultsPTPN13 expression was down-regulated in LSCC, and was negatively correlated with the cancer grade and stage. FAK mRNA, as well as FAK protein level was elevated in LSCC tissues. P-FAK level, also found increased, had no association with FAK mRNA and FAK protein expression, but had a negative correlation with the PTPN13 expression. P-FAK level had a significant positive correlation with the TNM classification.ConclusionThe over-expression of FAK and increased FAK phosphorylation plays an important role in the invasion and metastasis of LSCC.