Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
11:28

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Published on: May 11, 2016

[Resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells]

Y Otani1, D Kuwahara, K Tsutsumi

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa.

Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
|December 8, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells resist Fas-mediated apoptosis. This resistance is RNA synthesis-dependent and may involve Bcl-XL regulation of Fas signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Carcinoma cells often evade immune detection through resistance to Fas receptor (Fas)-mediated apoptosis.
  • Understanding this resistance mechanism is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the sensitivity of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Fas resistance in HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • HNSCC cell lines were treated with an anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (CH11).
  • Cell death was monitored, and RNA synthesis dependency was assessed using actinomycin D (ActD).
  • Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL expression.

Main Results:

  • All tested HNSCC cell lines expressed Fas protein but lacked Fas-ligand mRNA.
  • CH11 treatment did not induce apoptosis in HNSCC cell lines (CH11-resistant).
  • ActD treatment sensitized CH11-resistant HNSCC cells to apoptosis, indicating RNA synthesis dependence. Bcl-XL expression was reduced by ActD, suggesting its role in resistance.

Conclusions:

  • HNSCC cells exhibit constitutive resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis.
  • This resistance is dependent on RNA synthesis and potentially regulated by Bcl-XL.
  • Targeting Bcl-XL may represent a therapeutic strategy to overcome Fas resistance in HNSCC.

More Related Videos

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Knockdown of FAM83A to Verify Its Role in Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Cisplatin Sensitivity04:20

Knockdown of FAM83A to Verify Its Role in Cervical Cancer Cell Growth and Cisplatin Sensitivity

Published on: February 9, 2024

Related Concept Videos

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...