KLK5 and KLK7 drive cervical carcinoma via KLK14-dependent RhoA and NF-κB pathways.

Background: The global prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is approximately 12%, which significantly contributes to the development of cervical cancer as HPV is a key driver of tumorigenesis. However, the precise mechanisms by which HPV promotes carcinogenesis and the involvement of additional components in this process remain poorly understood.

Objective: Given the evidence supporting the critical role of serine proteases in carcinogenesis, we investigated their contribution to cervical cancer development in the context of HPV-mediated carcinogenesis.

Methods: Human biopsies were analyzed to assess the expression of serine proteases, including matriptase, kallikrein 5 (KLK5), and kallikrein 7 (KLK7), as well as their endogenous inhibitors. Mechanistic studies were conducted using genetically engineered mice, bulk RNA-seq, and reporter assays to elucidate the role of these proteases in HPV-dependent cervical carcinogenesis.

Results: Our findings demonstrate increased expression of matriptase, KLK5, and KLK7 in early cervical carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the absence of both KLK5 and KLK7 ameliorates the HPV-dependent phenotype via modulation of KLK14 activation. KLK14 exhibits a pro-tumorigenic effect by regulating PAR-2-dependent RhoA and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Conclusion: This study underscores the critical roles of serine proteases KLK5, KLK7, and KLK14 in cervical carcinogenesis, suggesting that these serine proteases are promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in cervical cancer.