Surrounding cells affect the gene expression pattern of human beta-defensins in squamous cell carcinoma in vitro.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

Defensins are basic peptides involved in non-immune bio-defense mechanisms in a normal epithelium. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (OSCC) also produce human beta-defensins (HBDs), although their exact function is not clear. This study aimed to analyze the variation in gene expression levels of hBDs in co-cultures of OSCC with murine cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Two OSCC cell lines (HSC-3, HSC-4) were co-cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblasts, NIH/3T3 or a mouse chondrogenic cell line derived from teratocarcinoma, ATDC5, for 1.5 days. Expression patterns of the hBD genes were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS:

hBD1 expression increased when co-cultured with NIH/3T3 but decreased when co-cultured with ATDC5. Expression of hBD2 and hBD4 tended to decrease. OSCC cells formed colonies when co-cultured with NIH/3T3 but were scattered when co-cultured with ATDC5.

CONCLUSION:

hBDs expression in OSCC is dependent on the type of co-cultured cells and differences in gene expression may be responsible for the morphological differences observed. OSCC may produce HBDs for purposes other than bio-defense by surrounding cells.

• Authors: Saori Kida-Takaoka, Tomoichiro Yamaai, Nobuyoshi Mizukawa, Jun Murakami, Seiji Iida
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 34 Issue 11 Pg. 6443-9 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 25368244 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• DEFB1 protein, human
• DEFB4A protein, human
• RNA, Messenger
• beta-Defensins

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis
• Blotting, Western
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Proliferation
• Cells, Cultured
• Coculture Techniques
• Embryo, Mammalian (cytology, metabolism)
• Fibroblasts (cytology, metabolism)
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Male
• Mice
• Mouth Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• NIH 3T3 Cells
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Teratocarcinoma (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Testicular Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Tumor Microenvironment
• beta-Defensins (genetics, metabolism)