Thrombospondin 2 mRNA (THBS2 mRNA)

Thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) mRNA encodes a secreted matricellular glycoprotein that is a member of the thrombospondin family. The protein product is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and plays a vital role in mediating cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions, as well as regulating the assembly of the extracellular matrix (UniProt P35442; NCBI Gene 7058). In various cancers, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and gastric cancer, THBS2 mRNA is significantly upregulated in the tumor stroma, where it promotes tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis (Kim et al., 2017, Science Translational Medicine; Ao et al., 2021, Oncology Letters). Consequently, THBS2 mRNA has emerged as a therapeutic target for RNA-based modalities, including siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides, which aim to silence its expression and disrupt the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment (PubMed PMC8266438). Additionally, THBS2 is a well-documented biomarker; elevated serum levels of the THBS2 protein, often in combination with CA19-9, are used for the early detection and monitoring of pancreatic cancer (Kim et al., 2017). Therapeutic challenges include the effective delivery of RNA-targeting agents to the dense tumor stroma and potential side effects related to the protein's role in normal tissue homeostasis and wound repair (UniProt P35442).

Other names

TSP2 mRNATSP-2 mRNAThrombospondin-2 mRNATHBS2 transcript

RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense-mediated degradation of THBS2 mRNA transcripts, leading to reduced translation of the thrombospondin 2 protein and subsequent inhibition of its pro-tumorigenic and pro-fibrotic effects in the extracellular matrix.