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Published on: March 15, 2016
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Correlation with p53 and Vascular
Shivani Sivasakthivel1, Pratibha Ramani1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Introduction:
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), though expressed in various tumour cells, is increasingly recognized for its potential tumour-suppressive role, primarily through inhibiting angiogenesis and related pathways involved in tumour progression and invasion. However, there is uncertainty about its expression, association with angiogenesis and tumour growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumour protein 53 (p53) are known biomarkers for the angiogenesis pathway and tumour progression; hence, we intended to investigate how ACE2 expression correlates with VEGF and p53 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue. This study aimed to analyse the gene expression levels of ACE2, p53, and VEGF in OSCC patients and assess their correlations with OSCC progression.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 20 tissue samples each from OSCC patients and healthy individuals were analysed. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolation was performed, followed by cDNA synthesis using ACE2, p53, and VEGF primers. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed, and results were analysed.
Results:
The mean mRNA expression levels of the ACE2, p53, and VEGF genes in OSCC patients were 1.8, 1.4, and 2.7, respectively. Notably, the Pearson coefficient demonstrated that ACE2 levels were positively correlated with VEGF levels and negatively correlated with p53 levels.
Discussion:
Our findings indicate that, compared with healthy tissues, OSCC tissues present increased mRNA expression of ACE2, p53, and VEGF. The findings of the present study suggest that ACE2 levels are associated with increased expression of VEGF in OSCC patients. Further studies are necessary to explore and elucidate the role of ACE2 in the VEGF angiogenesis pathway in OSCC progression.
Insights
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression correlates positively with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and negatively with tumor protein 53 (p53) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This suggests ACE2 may play a role in OSCC progression via angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) has a potential tumor-suppressive role by inhibiting angiogenesis.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and tumor protein 53 (p53) are key biomarkers for tumor progression and angiogenesis.
- The precise role and expression of ACE2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression levels of ACE2, p53, and VEGF in OSCC tissues.
- To assess the correlation between ACE2 expression and the expression of VEGF and p53 in OSCC.
- To understand the potential role of ACE2 in OSCC progression and angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 20 OSCC tissue samples and 20 healthy controls.
- RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis using specific primers for ACE2, p53, and VEGF.
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify gene expression levels.
Main Results:
- Mean mRNA expression levels in OSCC patients were 1.8 for ACE2, 1.4 for p53, and 2.7 for VEGF.
- ACE2 expression showed a positive correlation with VEGF expression (Pearson coefficient).
- ACE2 expression demonstrated a negative correlation with p53 expression (Pearson coefficient).
Conclusions:
- OSCC tissues exhibit increased mRNA expression of ACE2, p53, and VEGF compared to healthy tissues.
- ACE2 levels are associated with increased VEGF expression in OSCC patients, suggesting a role in angiogenesis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate ACE2's function in the VEGF-mediated angiogenesis pathway within OSCC progression.
