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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

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Cancer Stem Cells in Metastatic Head and Neck Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Express Components of the

Sam Siljee1, Olivia Buchanan1, Helen D Brasch1

  • 1Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.

Cells
|January 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma express key renin-angiotensin system components like angiotensinogen and prorenin receptor. This suggests potential roles for the renin-angiotensin system in mHNcSCC progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • Metastatic head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mHNcSCC) is an aggressive malignancy.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in tumor initiation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
  • The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components within cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations in mHNcSCC.
  • To determine the cellular localization of RAS components in relation to CSCs and tumor microenvironment.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining of mHNcSCC tissue samples.
  • Western blotting analysis of mHNcSCC tissue and primary cell lines.
  • RT-qPCR to analyze gene expression of RAS components.

Main Results:

  • Expression of prorenin receptor (PRR), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin II receptor 2 (AT2R) was detected in mHNcSCC tissues.
  • Angiotensinogen was expressed by SOX2+ CSCs within tumor nests; PRR and AT2R were also expressed by CSCs in tumor nests and peritumoral stroma.
  • ACE was localized to the endothelium of tumor microvessels; renin and ACE2 were generally not detected.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer stem cells in mHNcSCC express key components of the renin-angiotensin system, including angiotensinogen, PRR, and AT2R.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for the RAS in regulating CSC behavior and the tumor microenvironment in mHNcSCC.
  • Targeting RAS components may offer novel therapeutic strategies for mHNcSCC.
Keywords:
angiotensin II receptor 1angiotensin II receptor 2angiotensin-converting enzymeangiotensin-converting enzyme 2angiotensinogencancer stem cellscutaneous squamous cell carcinomaprorenin receptorrenin

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