FANCD2 knockdown suppresses malignant phenotypes and is associated with caspase/PARP-mediated apoptosis in NCI-H2052 pleural mesothelioma cells.

FANCD2 knockdown significantly suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in NCI-H2052 pleural mesothelioma cells, involving caspase/PARP-mediated pathways.

• Why it matters: Understanding the biological roles of FANCD2 in malignant pleural mesothelioma (PM) is crucial due to its association with tumor progression and poor prognosis, highlighting a need for targeted therapies.
• What they did: The study used bioinformatics analyses, Western blotting, and functional assays in NCI-H2052 cells with siRNA-mediated FANCD2 knockdown to assess effects on cell growth, apoptosis, and related signaling pathways, including caspase activation.
• The result: FANCD2 was upregulated in PM tissues and cells, with knockdown reducing proliferation, increasing apoptosis, and elevating caspase/PARP apoptotic markers; FANCD2 expression was also positively associated with M2 macrophage infiltration, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.