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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro
Published on: June 20, 2018
Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide Disrupts Mesenchymal Characteristics of Human Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC4
Chia-Herng Yue1,2, Chung-Hung Chen3, Ying-Ru Pan4
1Division of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Background/Aim:
This study investigated the anti-metastatic effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) SCC4 cells.
Materials And Methods:
Cell morphology, viability, cell cycle distribution, adhesion, migration, invasion and the expression levels of associated proteins were examined using microscopy, WST-1, wound-healing, Boyden chamber assays, and western blotting, respectively.
Results:
CTAB significantly affected SCC4 cell morphology from spindle-shaped to cobblestone-shaped and resulted in loss of adherence. CTAB significantly inhibited cell adhesion, migration, and invasion of SCC4 cells, independent of cell viability. CTAB reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP3, MMP7, and MMP14 in a concentration-dependent manner, while it increased expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). In addition, CTAB reduced the phosphorylation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3 (Smad2/3) proteins, which mediated CTAB-inhibited migration and invasion in SCC4 cells. These effects were reversed by TGF-β1.
Conclusion:
CTAB attenuates the mesenchymal characteristics through upregulation of TIMP3 by inhibiting the canonical TGF-β/Smad/miR-181b/TIMP3 signaling involved in extracellular matrix remodeling in SCC4 cells and might be a promising anti-metastatic therapeutic agent for TSCC.
Insights
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) inhibits tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell metastasis by reducing cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. CTAB also alters cell morphology and impacts key protein expressions, suggesting therapeutic potential for TSCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a prevalent oral cancer.
- Metastasis is a critical factor in TSCC progression and patient survival.
- Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is investigated for its anti-metastatic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-metastatic effects of CTAB on SCC4 cells, a tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell line.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CTAB's impact on TSCC cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Cell morphology and viability were assessed using microscopy and WST-1 assays.
- Cell adhesion, migration, and invasion were evaluated via wound-healing and Boyden chamber assays.
- Protein expression levels of MMPs, TIMP3, and Smad2/3 were analyzed by western blotting.
Main Results:
- CTAB altered SCC4 cell morphology and reduced cell adherence, migration, and invasion without affecting viability.
- CTAB decreased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) expression.
- CTAB reduced Smad2/3 phosphorylation, a key mediator of migration and invasion, an effect reversible by TGF-β1.
Conclusions:
- CTAB attenuates mesenchymal characteristics in SCC4 cells by upregulating TIMP3 via inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
- CTAB impacts extracellular matrix remodeling, suggesting its potential as an anti-metastatic therapeutic agent for TSCC.
- The study highlights CTAB's role in modulating key signaling pathways involved in cancer metastasis.
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