Sema3C promotes hepatic metastasis and predicts poor prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Semaphorin 3C (Sema3C) may regulate tumor metastasis and prognosis. We determined the biological roles of Sema3C in the hepatic metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluated its clinical significance as a potential biomarker. METHODS: Sema3C expression in gastric cancer (GC) cell lines and tissues was measured using RT-qPCR and western blotting. Moreover, Sema3C functions were analyzed using Transwell assays and in vitro metastasis assays in gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Furthermore, the impact of Sema3C on the prognosis of 80 randomly selected patients with GC was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) indicators was verified by immunohistochemistry in GC tissues. RESULTS: Sema3C expression was significantly upregulated in highly metastatic GC cell lines and tissues. Additionally, Sema3C promoted invasion, migration and hepatic metastasis in GC cells. Moreover, Sema3C expression was positively correlated with clinicopathological features in GC and paired hepatic metastatic tissues, and Sema3C expression was an independent prognostic factor. Finally, Sema3C expression was associated with node metastasis, hepatic metastasis and EMT marker expression. CONCLUSIONS: Sema3C may play roles in regulating the EMT and metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma, highlighting its potential use as a prognostic factor for hepatic metastasis and poor prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma.