Histone demethylase JMJD2B and JMJD2C induce fibroblast growth factor 2: mediated tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma

JMJD2B and JMJD2C, histone demethylases, play crucial roles in cancer development and are up-regulated in many cancers. However, the actions of JMJD2B and JMJD2C in osteosarcoma remain unknown. The levels of JMJD2B or JMJD2C were evaluated in osteosarcoma cells and tissues via quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot. JMJD2B and JMJD2C were up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues when compared to paired adjacent non-tumor tissues. A higher level of JMJD2B or JMJD2C was related with metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is an important factor to maintain immaturity of cells and contributes to osteosarcoma aggressiveness. Elevated levels of FGF2 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cell, while FGF2 was up-regulated by JMJD2B or JMJD2C. GST pull-down assay showed that JMJD2B or JMJD2C interacted with FGF2. Thus, JMJD2B and JMJD2C play an important role in the pathology of osteosarcoma via the up-regulation of FGF2. JMJD2B and JMJD2C should be developed potential targets for the therapy of osteosarcoma patients.