Olfml2a, belonging to the olfactomedin domain-containing secreted glycoprotein family, is expressed in various tissues such as the retina [5,6]. Its function might be related to the development and functional organization of the nervous system and retina, and it is evolutionarily conserved under purifying selection [5,6].

In cancer research, high OLFML2A expression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in patients with AML. It can act as a molecular indicator involved in the diagnosis, prognosis, and immune process of AML, potentially improving the molecular biology prognostic system and treatment selection for AML [1]. In glioma, OLFML2A expression is upregulated, positively correlated with pathological grades, and patients with higher expression have shorter overall survival. Knockdown of OLFML2A in glioma cells inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and suppresses the growth of transplanted glioma by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway [2]. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), high OLFML2A level is associated with poor prognosis. OLFML2A is a key regulatory protein acting downstream of AP-1 and is necessary for the anti-TNBC effect of the selective activator protein-1 inhibitor T-5224. Silencing OLFML2A in TNBC cells inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promotes apoptosis by inducing S phase arrest and decreasing epithelial-mesenchymal transition [3,4].

In conclusion, Olfml2a plays significant roles in the development of certain tissues like the retina. In diseases, especially in cancers such as AML, glioma, and TNBC, Olfml2a is closely related to disease prognosis and progression. Its study in these disease models helps understand the underlying molecular mechanisms, providing potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers.

References:

1. Lu, Xuan, Li, Ying, Yang, Yan, Chai, Xingxing, Gong, Chen. 2023. OLFML2A Overexpression Predicts an Unfavorable Prognosis in Patients with AML. In Journal of oncology, 2023, 6017852. doi:10.1155/2023/6017852. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36873740/

2. Ma, Shize, Duan, Lei, Dong, Huateng, Pan, Yawen, Zhang, Yinian. 2021. OLFML2A Downregulation Inhibits Glioma Proliferation Through Suppression of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. In Frontiers in oncology, 11, 717917. doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.717917. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34650914/

3. Zhao, Qian, Zhang, Kaixin, Li, Yong, Qiao, Yichun, Liu, Yawen. 2021. OLFML2A is necessary for anti-triple negative breast cancer effect of selective activator protein-1 inhibitor T-5224. In Translational oncology, 14, 101100. doi:10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33993098/

4. Gao, Xiufei, Yang, Zimei, Xu, Chuchu, Wu, Chunyu, Chen, Mingcang. . GeneChip expression profiling identified OLFML2A as a potential therapeutic target in TNBC cells. In Annals of translational medicine, 10, 274. doi:10.21037/atm-22-757. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35433966/

5. Garza-Rodríguez, María Lourdes, González-Álvarez, Rafael, Mendoza Alfaro, Roberto Eduardo, Aguilera González, Carlos Javier, Rodriguez Sanchez, Iram Pablo. 2019. Olfactomedin-like 2 A and B (OLFML2A and OLFML2B) profile expression in the retina of spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) and bioinformatics mining. In Fish physiology and biochemistry, 45, 1575-1587. doi:10.1007/s10695-019-00647-0. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31111317/

6. Pérez-Ibave, Diana Cristina, González-Alvarez, Rafael, de La Luz Martinez-Fierro, Margarita, Barrera-Saldaña, Hugo Alberto, Rodríguez-Sánchez, Irám Pablo. 2016. Olfactomedin-like 2 A and B (OLFML2A and OLFML2B) expression profile in primates (human and baboon). In Biological research, 49, 44. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27821182/