JAM2 predicts a good prognosis and inhibits invasion and migration by suppressing EMT pathway in breast cancer

Objectives: Large-scale epidemiological surveys have shown that patients with Down syndrome, which is caused by a chromosomal abnormality (an extra chromosome 21), are significantly less likely to develop solid tumors, including breast cancer, than those without. This feature has prompted the search for oncogenes located on chromosome 21. Junctional adhesion molecule 2 (JAM2), which is located on chromosome 21, is expressed at low levels in breast cancer and is associated with a good prognosis. These findings strongly suggest that JAM2 may be a potential oncogene suppressor in breast cancer. However, the role and function of JAM2 in breast cancer are not yet clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the biological functions and mechanisms of JAM2 in breast cancer.

Methods: Several databases were used to explore JAM2 expression in breast cancer and to analyze its diagnostic and prognostic value in breast cancer. Changes in relevant markers were examined at the gene and protein levels using RT-qPCR and Western blot techniques, in addition, cell migration and invasion abilities were identified by scratch assays and transwell assays. Untargeted metabolomics, transcriptome sequencing and Luminex liquid suspension chip detection were performed in combination to study the mechanisms.

Results: JAM2 is expressed at low levels in breast cancer, and patients with high JAM2 expression have a good prognosis, indicating that JAM2 has good clinical diagnostic and prognostic value. Overexpression of JAM2 can block the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells, and the mechanism may be that JAM2 inhibits the EMT pathway. Finally, combined multiomics analysis revealed that JAM2 may affect the immune microenvironment of breast cancer by influencing the secretion of CXCL9/10 from tumor cells.