Deregulation of extracellular matrix modeling with molecular prognostic markers revealed by transcriptome sequencing and validations in Oral Tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Novel DNA methylation biomarkers for early diagnosis of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC)

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is the most common malignancy type among males across the world. However, analysis of molecular markers could be useful in detecting the early-stage OTSCC, which would allow optimal clinical treatments and prolong the survival rate of patients consequently. The study has the objective of detecting the role of salivary biomarkers based on gene promoter hypermethylation. Sample data from 45 OTSCC and normal groups were analyzed to exhibit the methylation levels of salivary biomarkers (TRH, FHIT, MGMT, p16, and RASSF1A). The specificity and sensitivity analysis of methylation biomarkers was conducted in addition to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for both early-stage and advanced OTSCC stages. Quantitative data findings showed the perfect sensitivity and specificity for TRH, MGMT, p16, and RASSF1A with 100%, and > 90%, respectively. In addition, the results indicated an inefficient area under curves (> 0.7) for these biomarkers to detect the OTSCC. There were no significant differences observed between TRH and FHIT and p16 and MGMT based on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The methylation statuses of genes TRH, RASSF1A, p16, and MGMT might become utilized as predictive biomarkers for clinical application in early diagnosis of OTSCC and noninvasive oral cancer screening.

Up-regulation of extracellular-matrix and inflammation related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignancy with late-presentation, site-specific heterogeneity, and high-propensity for recurrence/metastasis that has shown rise in mortality. Lately, research emphasize on dynamic interactions between tumor-cells and extracellular-matrix components within tumor-microenvironment that promote tissue integrity loss and carcinogenesis. Therefore, OSCC clinical-management is still challenging.

DESIGN

Present study validated clinical utility of a 13 gene-panel in two chief sub-sites of OSCC: Buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC) (N = 50) and Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) (N = 52) using qRT-PCR. Principal component analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were applied to acquire definite multi gene models. Protein expression analysis was employed using the Human Protein Atlas, UALCAN and TIMER 2.0 databases to explore potential correlation between immune cells and gene-panels.

RESULTS

Significant up-regulation of CXCL8, CXCL10, FN1, GBP1, IFIT3, ISG15, MMP1, MMP3, MMP10, PLAU, SERPINE1 and SPP1 except OASL was observed in OSCC tissue in comparison of absolute normal controls. Although, this gene-panel could potentially discriminate OSCC tissues from absolute normal controls as solitarily diagnostic and/or predictive biomarkers, models generated also showed substantial discriminating efficacy. Eight-genes were found to be significantly associated with poor-prognosis on clinico-pathological association. Protein-expression confirmed overexpression of gene-panel and added advantage of being secretory-protein. Importantly, up-regulated genes in our study showed significant relation with immune-cells infiltration suggesting their contribution in immune-escape.

CONCLUSION

Thus, we propose that the 13 gene-panel could pave the way to effective and personalized clinical-management of OSCC in terms of diagnostic and prognostic measures and thereby as therapeutic targets.

Capsaicin and Cold exposure promote EMT-mediated premetastatic niche formation to facilitate colorectal cancer metastasis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Capsaicin and cold exposure were positively correlated with CRC metastasis. However, the mechanisms of action underlying capsaicin and cold exposure in 1,2-dimethylhyrazine (DMH)-induced CRC remain unknown. Multiple assays were utilized in the present study, including methylene blue, hematoxylin eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, western blotting and Duolink proximity ligation assay (PLA), in order to assess the influence of capsaicin and cold exposure on CRC rat models induced by DMH. The present study reported that capsaicin and cold exposure treatment significantly increased the size and number of colonic tumors, and the CRC metastasis rate in the capsaicin and cold exposure groups was higher than that in DMH model group.Moreover, it was observed that capsaicin and cold exposure increased mRNA and protein expression levels of LAMC2 and integrin-β1 induced by DMH. Duolink PLA results indicated that cold exposure and capsaicin significantly promoted interaction formation between LAMC2 and ITGB1 in CRC rats induced by DMH. Furthermore, western blot and IHC analysis confirmed that cold exposure and capsaicin inhibited DMH-induced decreases in the expression levels of E-cadherin, and increases in the expression levels of p-FAK, Snails, Fibronectin and N-cadherin. In addition, the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in capsaicin and cold exposure group were higher than those of model group. In conclusion, our study suggests that both capsaicin and cold exposure may contribute to EMT-mediated the formation of premetastatic niche, which may lead to CRC metastasis by activating the early interaction between LAMC2 and integrin-β1.

Desmoglein-2 as a cancer modulator: friend or foe?

Desmoglein-2 (DSG2) is a calcium-binding single pass transmembrane glycoprotein and a member of the large cadherin family. Until recently, DSG2 was thought to only function as a cell adhesion protein embedded within desmosome junctions designed to enable cells to better tolerate mechanical stress. However, additional roles for DSG2 outside of desmosomes are continuing to emerge, particularly in cancer. Herein, we review the current literature on DSG2 in cancer and detail its impact on biological functions such as cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasion, intracellular signaling, extracellular vesicle release and vasculogenic mimicry. An increased understanding of the diverse repertoire of the biological functions of DSG2 holds promise to exploit this cell surface protein as a potential prognostic biomarker and/or target for better patient outcomes. This review explores the canonical and non-canonical functions of DSG2, as well as the context-dependent impacts of DSG2 in the realm of cancer.

Novel human lymph node-derived matrix supports the adhesion of metastatic oral carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

3D culture is increasingly used in cancer research, as it allows the growth of cells in an environment that mimics in vivo conditions. Metastases are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, and solid tumour metastases are mostly located in lymph nodes. Currently, there are no techniques that model the pre-metastatic lymph node microenvironment in vitro. In this study, we prepared a novel extracellular matrix, Lymphogel, which is derived from lymph nodes, mimicking the tumour microenvironment (TME) of metastatic carcinoma cells. We tested the suitability of the new matrix in various functional experiments and compared the results with those obtained using existing matrices.

METHODS

We used both commercial and patient-derived primary and metastatic oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) cell lines. We characterized the functional differences of these cells using three different matrices (human uterine leiomyoma-derived Myogel, human pre-metastatic neck lymph node-derived Lymphogel (h-LG), porcine normal neck lymph node-derived Lymphogel (p-LG) in proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion assays. We also performed proteomic analyses to compare the different matrices in relation to their functional properties.

RESULTS

OTSCC cells exhibited different adhesion and invasion patterns depending on the matrix. Metastatic cell lines showed improved ability to adhere to h-LG, but the effects of the matrices on cell invasion fluctuated non-significantly between the cell lines. Proteomic analyses showed that the protein composition between matrices was highly variable; Myogel contained 618, p-LG 1823 and h-LG 1520 different proteins. The comparison of all three matrices revealed only 120 common proteins. Analysis of cellular pathways and processes associated with proteomes of each matrix revealed similarities of Myogel with h-LG but less with p-LG. Similarly, p-LG contained the least adhesion-related proteins compared with Myogel and h-LG. The highest number of unique adhesion-related proteins was present in h-LG.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that human pre-metastatic neck lymph node-derived matrix is suitable for studying metastatic OTSCC cells. As a whole-protein extract, h-LG provides new opportunities for in vitro carcinoma cell culture experiments.

CCND1-associated ceRNA network reveal the critical pathway of TPRG1-AS1-hsa-miR-363-3p-MYO1B as a prognostic marker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death globally, yet there are few useful biomarkers for early identification and prognostic prediction. Previous studies have confirmed that CCND1 amplification is closely associated with head and neck oncogenesis, and the present study explored the ceRNA network associated with CCND1. Gene expression profiling of the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSC) project of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program identified the TPRG1-AS1-hsa-miR-363-3P-MYO1B gene regulatory axis associated with CCND1. Further analysis of the database showed that MYOB was regulated by methylation in head and neck tumors, and functional enrichment analysis showed that MYO1B was involved in "actin filament organization" and "cadherin binding ". Immune infiltration analysis suggested that MYO1B may influence tumorigenesis and prognosis by regulating the immune microenvironment of HNSC. MYO1B enhanced tumor spread through the EMT approach, according to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) characterisation. We analyzed both herbal and GSCALite databases and found that CCND1 and MYO1B have the potential as predictive biomarkers for the treatment of HNSC patients. RT-qPCR validated bioinformatic predictions of gene expression in vitro cell lines. In conclusion, we found a CCND1-related ceRNA network and identified the novel TPRG1-AS1-hsa-miR-363-3p-MYO1B pathway as a possible HNSC diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Prognostic impact of the loss of E-cadherin and de novo expression of N-cadherin at the invasive front of primary and recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological mechanism in multiple pathophysiological diseases. Related alterations in cadherin expression play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, progression, angiogenesis, and immune response. EMT cells exhibit a transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype (cadherin-switch). This process is characterized by the de novo development of N-cadherin (N-CAD), which replaces E-cadherin (E-CAD) and signifies an increased migratory capacity and malignant transformation. The cadherin switch is a hallmark of EMT and has been studied in various cancer entities. We predicted that the cadherin switch in the primary and recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (re-OSCC) tissues is an inherent characteristic of the tumor, affects the biologic behavior, and further reflects the post-recurrence survival outcome of these patients. Survival outcome was analyzed by calculating the post-recurrence survival of the high-risk group and correlating the standardized h-score-based IHC expression of both cadherin types with the clinical follow-up. 94 patients with re-OSCC were observed within the cohort. Tissue samples from both primary and recurring tumors were collected. There was a significant association between loss of E-CAD expression and both oral cancer-specific and overall survival, (HR=2.72, CI:1.50-4.95, p=0.001) and (HR=3.84, CI:1.93-7.63, p=0.001), respectively, for expression loss higher than 60%. There was no statistically significant correlation between N-CAD de novo expression and Overall, oral cancer-specific and disease-free post-recurrence survival. The current study clearly shows that cadherin-switch, identified as E-CAD loss and N-CAD de novo expression in the invasion front of a re-OSCC, appears to be an inherent histological hallmark that does not change from primary manifestation to recurrence within the same tumor, regardless of the form of adjuvant therapy used for the primary tumor. The loss of E-CAD expression in re-OSCC is an independent risk factor for poor survival, and may be used to stratify therapy and de/escalate the multimodal treatment.

LAMC2 as a prognostic biomarker in human cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Accumulating evidence suggested that the laminin γ2 (LAMC2) expression level was upregulated in various cancers. However, the potential prognostic value of LAMC2 in cancers remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to clarify the association of LAMC2 expression with prognosis.

DESIGN

We searched Embase, Web of Science and PubMed (up to 25 November 2021) to collect all eligible studies, and meta-analysis was performed to interpret the association of LAMC2 expression with clinicopathological parameters, overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR INCLUDING STUDIES

We included studies that investigate the relationship between LAMC2 and prognosis of cancers, patients were divided into two groups, and associations of LAMC2 expression with clinicopathological features were described.

RESULTS

Seven studies were finally included. We found that increased LAMC2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (log OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.38, p<0.001), tumour-node-metastasis stages (log OR: 0.95, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.50, p<0.001) and tumour status (log OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.68, p<0.001), but not with age (log OR -0.05, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.27, p=0.75) or gender (log OR -0.07, 95% CI -0.52 to 0.38, p=0.75). In addition, higher LAMC2 expression was found to be significantly associated with OS/PFS/DSS (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.40, p<0.001). A similar result was found in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. High LAMC2 expression was significantly associated with OS in lung adenocarcinoma, mesothelioma, skin cutaneous melanoma, neck squamous cell carcinoma and brain lower grade glioma.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that higher LAMC2 expression was correlated with worse survival, lymph node metastasis, tumour-node-metastasis stages and tumour status. This study was subject to inherent limitations, but the results presented here provide insights regarding the potential use of LAMC2 as a biomarker for human cancer.

STUDY REGISTRATION

researchregistry.com (researchregistry1319).

Invasion-Associated Reorganization of Laminin 332 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas: The Role of the Laminin γ2 Chain in Tumor Biology, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Simple Summary

The destructive growth of carcinomas is associated with crossing the border between the epithelial and the connective tissue parts of an organ. One component of this borderline, the basement membrane, is the heterotrimeric laminin 332, which mediates the adhesion of basal epithelial cells. This protein, in particular its gamma 2 chain, is fundamentally reorganized during tumor cell invasion. Specific deposition patterns of laminin 332 are also present in oral squamous cell carcinomas and have been shown to be of high diagnostic and predictive value. Furthermore, laminin 332 restructuring is associated with important tumor biological processes, e.g., stromal activation, the development of a motile phenotype, and tumor spreading. In this review, current knowledge in the field is summarized and the recommendation to consider laminin 332 as a promising grading and monitoring parameter and as a potential therapeutic target is discussed.

Abstract

Invasion of the connective tissue by carcinoma cells is accompanied by disintegration and reorganization of the hemidesmosomes, which connect the basement membrane to the basal epithelial cells. In terms of mediating the basement membrane, i.e., basal cell interactions, the heterotrimeric laminin 332 is the most important bridging molecule. Due to this distinct function, laminin 332, especially its gamma 2 chain, came into the focus of cancer research. Specific de novo synthesis and deposition patterns of laminin 332 are evident upon development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Loss from the basement membrane, cytoplasmic accumulation, and extracellular deposition are associated with crucial processes such as stromal activation and immune response, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and tumor cell budding. In networks with components of the tumor microenvironment, altered expression of laminin 332 chains, proteolytic processing, and interaction with integrin receptors seem to promote cancer cell migration. Indeed, reorganization patterns are shown to have a high diagnostic and prognostic value. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on laminin 332 reorganization in OSCCs with special focus on its gamma 2 chain and provide, based on the current literature, evidence on its promising role as a grading and monitoring parameter and as a potential therapeutic target.

Trichodermin inhibits the growth of oral cancer through apoptosis-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and HDAC-2-mediated signaling

Trichodermin (TCD), a trichothecene first isolated from marine Trichoderma viride, is an inhibitor of eukaryotic protein synthesis. However, the potential effects of TCD on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, the exposure of OSCC cells (Ca922 and HSC-3 cells) to TCD suppressed cell proliferation assessed using MTT assays and colony formation assays. TCD inhibited the migration and invasion of OSCC cells (Ca922 and HSC-3 cells) through the downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. After treatment of OSCC cells with TCD, the G2/M phase was arrested, caspase-related apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and PARP expression) was induced, and the protein level of x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis was reduced. Meanwhile, the TCD-induced cell death was reversed by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Furthermore, TCD diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic function in OSCC cells. In addition, TCD decreased the levels of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC-2) and downstream signaling proteins, including phosphorylated STAT3 and NF-κB. Finally, TCD significantly suppressed tumor growth in a zebrafish OSCC xenotransplantation model. Overall, this evidence demonstrates that TCD is a novel promising strategy for the treatment of OSCCs.

Paradoxical Roles of Desmosomal Components in Head and Neck Cancer

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion complexes involved in various aspects of epithelial pathophysiology, including tissue homeostasis, morphogenesis, and disease development. Recent studies have reported that the abnormal expression of various desmosomal components correlates with tumor progression and poor survival. In addition, desmosomes have been shown to act as a signaling platform to regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, morphogenesis, and apoptosis of cancer cells. The occurrence and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC) is accompanied by abnormal expression of desmosomal components and loss of desmosome structure. However, the role of desmosomal components in the progression of HNC remains controversial. This review aims to provide an overview of recent developments showing the paradoxical roles of desmosomal components in tumor suppression and promotion. It offers valuable insights for HNC diagnosis and therapeutics development.

RFC4 promotes the progression and growth of Oral Tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vivo and vitro

OBJECTIVE

Currently, many studies have found that RFC4 was up-regulated in various cancers, and related to the progression and development. While the effects of RFC4 in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear, the main purpose of this research is to explore the role of RFC4 in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The expression of RFC4 in various cancers was analyzed in GEPIA database, and the results were further verified by IHC assay. The relationship between RFC4 and several clinical parameters was analyzed; the proliferation was further observed by knockdown RFC4 in vitro. Finally, we constructed related nude mouse models by planting cells subcutaneous of nude mice, and the discrepancy was observed.

RESULTS

Based on GEPIA database, RFC4 was up-regulated in various cancers, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer. RFC4 was up-regulated in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma compared with the normal tissue from GEPIA online database; we further found that the expression of RFC4 was tightly associated with TNM stage (p = 0.005), but not with age, gender, and differentiation (p > 0.05). We further found that the proliferation of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma was obviously restrained in vitro, and the carcinogenesis was also inhibited in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that RFC4 was up-regulated and related to the progression of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, and knockdown RFC4 could restrain the proliferation and progression. RFC4 might serve a potential biomarker and provide a new treatment strategy for lots of patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.