SPRED3 regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway in thyroid cancer and promotes the proliferation

Abstract SPRED3 (Sprouty-related EVH1 domain containing 3) mutants are depicted in various cancers, however, nothing is known about its biofunction in thyroid cancer (THCA). Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to ascertain the level of SPRED3 expression in THCA tissues and its importance in the prognosis of THCA patients. Flag-SPRED3 plasmid and SPRED3-knockout vector were developed to overexpress or deplete the SPRED3 expression in THCA cells. The function of SPRED3 on THCA cell proliferation was examined using the colony formation assay and CCK8 assay. The effect of SPRED3 expression on the transcriptional activity of NF-κB was also examined using luciferase reporter assays. High SPRED3 expression was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, advanced tumor characteristics, and traditional molecular markers of papillary thyroid cancer in THCA patients. Genetic analysis revealed differences in mutation rates in key genes between SPRED3-high and SPRED3-low THCA cases. It is also revealed that SPRED3 influenced the immune microenvironment, with increased stromal and immune scores and altered immune cell infiltration. Functionally, SPRED3 overexpression enhanced THCA cell viability and colony formation, while its depletion reduced cell growth and proliferation. In vivo experiments in mice confirmed the inhibitory effect of SPRED3 depletion on tumor growth. Mechanically, we found that SPRED3 activated the NF-κB signaling. For the first time, we found that SPRED3 promotes THCA cell proliferation via the NF-κB signaling pathway. This finding may provide insight into SPRED3’s prognostic potential in thyroid cancer and provide the rationale for SPRED3-targeted druggable interventions.