TIM3 activates the ERK1/2 pathway to promote invasion and migration of thyroid tumors

Background This study aims to study the possible action mechanism of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) on the migratory and invasive abilities of thyroid carcinoma (TC) cells.Methods GSE104005 and GSE138198 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database for identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed on the common DEGs in GSE104005 and GSE138198 datasets. Subsequently, in order to understand the effect of a common DEG (TIM3) on TC cells, we performed in vitro experiments using FRO cells. The migratory and invasive abilities of FRO cells were detected by wound scratch assay and Transwell assay. Proteins expression levels of the phosphorylated (p)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were determined via Western blotting after ERK1/2 inhibition in TIM3-NC group and TIM3-mimic group.Results 316 common DEGs were identified in GSE104005 and GSE138198 datasets. These DEGs were involved in the biological process of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade. TIM3 was significantly up-regulated in TC. In vitro cell experiments showed that TIM3 could promote migration and invasion of TC cells. Moreover, TIM3 may affect the migration, invasive abilities of TC cells by activating the ERK1/2 pathway.Conclusion The above results indicate that TIM3 may affect the migratory and invasive of TC cells by activating the ERK1/2 pathway.