Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
High expression of Notch2 drives tongue squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis
Rui-Huan Gan1, Li-Song Lin2, Dan-Ping Zheng3
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Fujian Medical University, 246 Yang Qiao Middle Road, Fuzhou, 350000, China; Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, 1 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, Fuzhou, 350122, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, 88 Jiaotong Rd, Fuzhou, 350004, China.
Abstract:
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common cancers in the oral cavity. Notch signaling is frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, the role of Notch2 in TSCC is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of abnormal expression of Notch2 in TSCC. The expression of Notch2 was tested in 47 pairs of tissues from tongue cancer and normal samples by using immunohistochemical staining. Tongue cancer cells were transfected with siRNA or plasmid. The proliferation of the cells was tested by the CCK8 assay and colony formation assay. Subcutaneous tumor model was established to observe tumor growth. Transwell assay was used to detect the changes of cell migration and invasion ability. A humanized anti-Notch2 antibody was used to TSCC cells. We found that Notch2 was upregulated in tongue carcinoma tissues. Knocking down the expression of Notch2 by siRNA in the TSCC cell lines decreased proliferation ability both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, migration and invasion abilities were inhibited by knockdown of Notch2 in the TSCC cells. However, overexpression of Notch2 increased tongue cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. The humanized anti-Notch2 antibody inhibited TSCC cell growth. The results indicated that Notch2 is an oncogene in tongue squamous cell carcinoma and may become the target of a new approach for treating TSCC.
Insights
Notch2 is upregulated in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), promoting cancer cell growth and spread. Inhibiting Notch2 significantly reduced tumor progression, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for TSCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a prevalent oral cancer.
- Notch signaling pathways are often dysregulated in various cancers.
- The specific role of Notch2 in TSCC pathogenesis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and functional role of Notch2 in TSCC.
- To determine if Notch2 acts as an oncogene or tumor suppressor in TSCC.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting Notch2 in TSCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of Notch2 expression in 47 paired TSCC and normal tissues.
- In vitro studies using siRNA and plasmid transfection to modulate Notch2 expression in TSCC cell lines.
- In vitro assays including CCK8, colony formation, Transwell migration, and invasion assays.
- In vivo studies using a subcutaneous tumor model in mice.
- Treatment of TSCC cells with a humanized anti-Notch2 antibody.
Main Results:
- Notch2 expression was significantly upregulated in TSCC tissues compared to normal tissues.
- Knockdown of Notch2 inhibited TSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo.
- Overexpression of Notch2 enhanced TSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- Treatment with an anti-Notch2 antibody suppressed TSCC cell growth.
Conclusions:
- Notch2 functions as an oncogene in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.
- Upregulation of Notch2 drives proliferation, migration, and invasion in TSCC.
- Targeting Notch2 with specific antibodies shows promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for TSCC.
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...
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...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...