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Reduced expression of the CD44 variant exons in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relationship to metastasis
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, Hiroshima University School of Dentistry, Japan.
Abstract:
In the present study, we examined the expression of CD44 variant exons in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Of ten cell lines from OSCCs, two (KB and H357), as well as the HeLa cell line, failed to express CD44 variant exons. In surgical specimens, all normal mucosa expressed CD44v9 (both mRNA and protein). Of 40 primary OSCCs, 19 (47.5%) showed downregulation of CD44v9, which correlated with tumor cell differentiation, primary metastasis to lymph nodes and secondary metastasis to lymph nodes. The results suggest that the downregulation of CD44v9 may play a role in lymphatic metastasis of OSCC and changes in its expression may be a useful diagnostic tool to determine the metastatic potential of OSCC to lymph nodes. Moreover, three cell lines that failed to express CD44 variant exons might become a useful experimental model to study the role of variant exons in the progression of OSCC.
Insights
Downregulation of CD44 variant 9 (CD44v9) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) correlates with metastasis. This finding suggests CD44v9 may be a diagnostic marker for OSCC metastatic potential.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- CD44 variant exons play roles in cancer progression.
- The specific role of CD44 variant exons in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CD44 variant exons in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
- To determine the correlation between CD44 variant exon expression and clinicopathological features of OSCC, particularly lymphatic metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of CD44 variant exon expression in ten OSCC cell lines and the HeLa cell line.
- Examination of CD44v9 mRNA and protein expression in normal oral mucosa and 40 primary OSCC surgical specimens.
- Correlation analysis between CD44v9 expression levels and tumor differentiation, primary, and secondary lymph node metastasis.
Main Results:
- Two OSCC cell lines (KB, H357) and HeLa cells did not express CD44 variant exons.
- Normal oral mucosa uniformly expressed CD44v9 (mRNA and protein).
- CD44v9 was downregulated in 47.5% of primary OSCCs, correlating significantly with poorer tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis.
Conclusions:
- Downregulation of CD44v9 is implicated in the lymphatic metastasis of OSCC.
- Changes in CD44v9 expression may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing the metastatic potential of OSCC.
- Cell lines lacking CD44 variant exon expression offer potential experimental models for studying OSCC progression.