BRAF(V600E)-induced KRT19 expression in thyroid cancer promotes lymph node metastasis via EMT

Keratin 19 (KRT19) is a type I cytokeratin that serves an important role in multiple types of cancer; however, little is known regarding its role in thyroid cancer. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the role of KRT19 in thyroid cancer. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, the expression and clinical significance of KRT19 in thyroid cancer tissues were investigated. The effect of KRT19 in thyroid cancer cell lines was also investigated in vitro. The results demonstrated that KRT19 expression was higher in thyroid cancer when compared with normal thyroid tissues, and was associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor stage and tumor-node-metastasis stage. Knockdown of KRT19 inhibited the proliferation and migration of thyroid cancer cell lines. In addition, increased KRT19 expression was observed only in tumors harboring the B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, Serine/Threonine Kinase (BRAF)(V600E) mutation, and BRAF(V600E) overexpression induced KRT19 expression. Furthermore, KRT19 exerted its phenotype via promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest that BRAF(V600E)-induced KRT19 expression may promote thyroid cancer metastasis via EMT.