Over-expression of KRT8 is associated with invasion of non-functioning pituitary adenomas

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the correlation between KRT8 and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). Methods Tumor tissues from fifty NFPAs (comprising twenty-nine cases of invasive NFPAs and twenty-one cases of noninvasive NFPAs) obtained from transsphenoidal surgery were utilized. Gene expression levels and protein expression levels were assessed using qRT-PCR and western blot techniques in both invasive and non-invasive NFPAs tumor tissue samples. The level of KRT8 was downregulated in the pituitary adenoma cell line GH3 to examine the invasive effect of KRT8 on GH3 cells using RNA interference. Results Both gene and protein expression levels of KRT8 were significantly higher in invasive NFPAs compared to non-invasive NFPAs. In vitro experiments demonstrated a noticeable decrease in cell invasion ability after silencing KRT8. Conclusion KRT8 may serve as a crucial biomarker for invasiveness in NFPAs, offering promising guidance for therapeutic decision-making.