JARID2 activation by NFYA promotes stemness of triple-negative breast cancer cells through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the role of Jumonji AT Rich Interacting Domain 2 (JARID2) in regulating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stemness and its mechanism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Bioinformatics analysis examined JARID2 expression, prognosis, and transcription factors. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemistry detected expression. Dual luciferase reporter gene and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays verified binding. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony formation assay detected viability and proliferation. Sphere formation assay detected the sphere formation efficiency. Flow cytometry detected CD44+/CD24- -marked stem cells. A xenograft tumor model verified the effect of JARID2 in vivo. RESULTS JARID2 and nuclear transcription factor Y subunit α (NFYA) were upregulated in TNBC tissues and positively correlated. Knockdown of JARID2 or NFYA inhibited cell stemness by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) signaling pathway. Enforced JARID2 expression rescued the suppressive effect of NFYA knockdown on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and cell stemness. Knockdown of JARID2 inhibited tumor growth and cell stemness in mice but was alleviated by concurrent overexpression of NFYA. CONCLUSIONS NFYA promotes TNBC cell stemness by upregulating JARID2 expression and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting JARID2 as a potential target for innovating drugs that target TNBC stem cells.