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Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
Published on: March 21, 2011
The FnBPA from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus promoted development of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Li-Xin Kong1,2, Zheng Wang1,2, Yu-Ke Shou1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Background:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common tumor in the oral cavity. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were highly detected in OSCC patients; however, the interactions and mechanisms between drug-resistant bacteria (MRSA) and OSCC are not clear.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate the promotion of MRSA on the development of OSCC.
Methods:
MRSA and MSSA (methicillin-susceptible) strains were employed to investigate the effect on the proliferation of OSCC in vitro and vivo.
Results:
All of the MRSA strains significantly increased the proliferation of OSCC cells and MRSA arrested the cell cycles of OSCC cells in the S phase. MRSA activated the expression of TLR-4, NF-κB and c-fos in OSCC cells. MRSA also promoted the development of squamous cell carcinoma in vivo. The virulence factor fnbpA gene was significantly upregulated in all MRSA strains. By neutralizing FnBPA, the promotions of MRSA on OSCC cell proliferation and development of squamous cell carcinoma were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the activation of c-fos and NF-κB by MRSA was also significantly decreased by FnBPA antibody.
Conclusion:
MRSA promoted development of OSCC, and the FnBPA protein was the critical virulence factor. Targeting virulence factors is a new method to block the interaction between a drug-resistant pathogen and development of tumors.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development. Neutralizing the MRSA virulence factor FnBPA significantly reduced OSCC proliferation and tumor growth, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent oral malignancy.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is frequently detected in OSCC patients.
- The precise mechanisms linking MRSA and OSCC development remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MRSA in promoting OSCC development.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MRSA-driven OSCC progression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized both MRSA and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains.
- Assessed effects on OSCC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor development in vivo.
- Investigated the role of the virulence factor fnbpA and its neutralization.
Main Results:
- MRSA significantly enhanced OSCC cell proliferation and arrested cell cycles in the S phase.
- MRSA activated TLR-4, NF-κB, and c-fos signaling pathways in OSCC cells.
- Neutralization of the MRSA virulence factor FnBPA markedly reduced OSCC proliferation and in vivo tumor development.
Conclusions:
- MRSA actively promotes the development of OSCC.
- The MRSA virulence factor FnBPA is critical in mediating this promotion.
- Targeting bacterial virulence factors represents a promising strategy to inhibit pathogen-driven tumor development.
