Lin28a is a putative factor in regulating cancer stem cell-like properties in side population cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are among the target cells of cancer therapy because they are uniquely involved in both cancer progression and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. We identified side population (SP) cells, which are known to be an enriched population of CSC, in five oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (SCC9, SCC25, TOSCC7, TOSCC17, and TOSCC23). The percentages of SP cells ranged from 0% to 3.3%, with TOSCC23 cells showing the highest percentages of SP cells (3.3% of the total cell population). The SP cells isolated from TOSCC23 cells also showed greater cell proliferation and invasion compared to non-SP (MP) cells. Therefore, our initial findings suggested that SP cells were enriched for CSC-like cells. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of cell proliferation-related and anti-apoptotic genes was greater in SP cells compared to MP cells. We focused on Lin28a, which showed the highest expression (approximately 22-fold) among the upregulated genes. The overexpression of Lin28a in TOSCC23 cells increased their proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. These findings suggest that Lin28a is an appropriate CSC target molecule for OSCC treatment.

• Authors: S Hayashi, J Tanaka, S Okada, T Isobe, G Yamamoto, R Yasuhara, T Irie, C Akiyama, Y Kohno, T Tachikawa, K Mishima
• Journal: Experimental cell research (Exp Cell Res) Vol. 319 Issue 8 Pg. 1220-8 (May 01 2013) ISSN: 1090-2422 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23500413 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• DNA-Binding Proteins
• LIN28B protein, human
• RNA-Binding Proteins

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (genetics, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation
• DNA-Binding Proteins (genetics, physiology)
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Microarray Analysis
• Mouth Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Neoplastic Stem Cells (metabolism, pathology, physiology)
• RNA-Binding Proteins
• Stem Cell Niche (genetics)
• Transfection
• Tumor Microenvironment (genetics)