Glypican 2 regulates cell proliferation and metastasis in thyroid cancer cells

Background Glypicans play a role in the growth and metastasis of several human cancers. However, little is known about its function in thyroid cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the specific functions of glypican 2 (GPC2) in thyroid cancer cells. Objective The expression of six glypican family members (GPC1 to GPC6) was detected in different thyroid cancer cell lines. The abnormal expression of GPC2 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in or around thyroid tumor tissues. It was overexpressed and silenced in highly (TPC1 and FTC-133) and poorly (ARO) differentiated thyroid cancer cell lines, respectively. Subsequently, its role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion was investigated. Results We observed that almost all glypican family members were highly expressed in thyroid cancer cells, and GPC2 expression was higher in poorly differentiated thyroid cancer cell lines than highly differentiated cell lines. The knockdown of GPC2 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and promoted apoptosis in the ARO cells, whereas GPC2 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and inhibited apoptosis in the TPC1 and FTC-133 cells. Conclusions GPC2 is highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues and regulates cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.