Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Characterization of In Vitro Differentiation of Human Primary Keratinocytes by RNA-Seq Analysis
Published on: May 16, 2020
The expression pattern and functional role of REIC/Dkk-3 in the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Jung-Min Shin1, Dae-Kyoung Choi1, Hye-Young Kang2
1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, ChungNam National University Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Background:
The exact physiological function of REIC/Dkk-3 in the development of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) remains unclear.
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the expression pattern and functional role of REIC/Dkk-3 in the development of SCC.
Methods:
We stained normal skin, actinic keratosis (AK) and SCC tissue with REIC/Dkk-3. The proliferation and migration of SCC 12 over-expressed with REIC/Dkk-3 were observed. For in vivo study, SCC12 cells in PBS, SCC12 cells containing LacZ, and REIC/Dkk-3-transduced SCC 12 cells were injected intra-dermally into the left and right backside flanks of SCID mice respectively, and tumor growth was evaluated.
Results:
REIC/Dkk-3 staining was detected throughout the full epidermis in normal skin, focally positive in AK. Negative or very low stain of REIC/Dkk-3 was observed in SCC in situ, keratoacanthoma, and SCC. REIC/Dkk-3 mRNA level in SCC was very low compared with that in normal skin tissue. REIC/Dkk-3 significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of SCC12 cells comparing with control (p<0.05). Cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 expression was slightly lower and p21 was very higher in REIC/Dkk-3-overexpressed group than in the LacZ group. Fewer ITGA6 cells were found in the REIC/Dkk-3 overexpressed group than in the LacZ control (p<0.01). Mean tumor volume was smallest in the REIC/Dkk-3 overexpressed group (p<0.01) 21days after the intradermal injection of SCC12 cells.
Conclusion:
REIC/Dkk-3 could be involved early in SCC development and have inhibitory effect on the development of SCC.
Related Concept Videos
Role 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...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Receptor 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...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

