Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Downregulation of Notch1 and its potential correlation with epidermal growth factor receptor signalling in tongue
Hong-jie Huang1, Fei-yun Ping, Ji-an Hu
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
Abstract:
We investigated the expression of Notch1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and explored its potential correlation with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling in oral SCC. Paraffin sections of primary SCC of the tongue and normal mucosa were screened immunohistochemically for Notch1 and EGFR proteins. Human SCC of the tongue Tca8113 cells were treated with AG1478 to block EGFR signalling, and were transfected with the vector that encodes the specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that targets EGFR. In SCC of the tongue expression of Notch1 was cancelled except in sites of squamous metaplasia where it was raised, while expression of EGFR was found in the peripheral cells of carcinomas, but not in sites of squamous metaplasia. In normal tongue mucosa, Notch1 was expressed mainly in the stratum corneum, but not in the stratum basale, while EGFR was expressed mainly in the stratum basale, but not in the stratum granulosum or stratum corneum. The blocking of EGFR signalling or the silencing of the EGFR gene resulted in upregulation of Notch1 at mRNA and protein levels in Tca8113 cells. These observations suggest that downregulation of Notch1 in oral SCC may be associated with upregulation of EGFR signalling.
Insights
Downregulation of Notch1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may link to increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Blocking EGFR signaling or gene silencing upregulated Notch1 in cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a prevalent cancer.
- Notch1 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways are implicated in cancer development.
- The interplay between Notch1 and EGFR in oral SCC remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Notch1 expression in human oral SCC.
- To explore the correlation between Notch1 and EGFR signaling in oral SCC.
- To elucidate the regulatory relationship between EGFR and Notch1 in oral SCC cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical screening of Notch1 and EGFR proteins in human oral SCC and normal tongue tissues.
- In vitro experiments using Tca8113 oral SCC cells treated with EGFR inhibitor (AG1478).
- Gene silencing of EGFR using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in Tca8113 cells.
Main Results:
- Notch1 expression was reduced in oral SCC, except in squamous metaplasia areas where it was elevated.
- EGFR expression was detected in peripheral SCC cells but absent in squamous metaplasia.
- Blocking EGFR signaling or EGFR gene silencing led to increased Notch1 mRNA and protein levels in Tca8113 cells.
Conclusions:
- Downregulation of Notch1 in oral SCC is potentially associated with EGFR signaling upregulation.
- EGFR signaling may negatively regulate Notch1 expression in oral SCC.
- Findings suggest a complex interaction between Notch1 and EGFR in oral cancer pathogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
03:14Notch Signaling Pathway
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply