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Erk1/2 activation and modulation of STAT3 signaling in oral cancer

Ioannis Gkouveris1, Nikolaos Nikitakis1, Maria Karanikou2

  • 1Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.

Oncology Reports
|September 2, 2014
PubMed

Insights

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) pathway interacts with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Inhibiting Erk1/2 reduces OSCC cell growth and viability.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Constitutive activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is oncogenic in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  • The interplay between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), specifically extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2), and STAT3 in OSCC remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Erk1/2 modulation on STAT3 signaling and cellular growth in OSCC.
  • To elucidate the crosstalk between Erk1/2 and STAT3 pathways in the context of oral cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed constitutive expression of phosphorylated (tyrosine and serine) and total STAT3, Erk1/2, and cyclin D1 in OSCC cell lines.
  • Modulated Erk1/2 activity using pharmacological inhibitors (U0126) and siRNA silencing.
  • Evaluated effects on cell proliferation and viability.

Main Results:

  • Erk1/2 inhibition led to decreased p-ser STAT3 and cyclin D1 levels, alongside increased p-tyr STAT3 in OSCC cells.
  • Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of Erk1/2 resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in OSCC cell growth and viability.
  • Erk1/2 induction produced opposite effects on STAT3 signaling and cell growth.

Conclusions:

  • Evidence suggests active crosstalk between the oncogenic Erk1/2 and STAT3 pathways in OSCC.
  • This Erk1/2-STAT3 interaction plays a significant role in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression, warranting further investigation.

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