Effect of hepatoma H22 on lymphatic endothelium in vitro

Altered phenotype of lymphatic endothelial cells induced by highly metastatic OTSCC cells contributed to the lymphatic metastasis of OTSCC cells

The lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) is an interactive surface for cancer cells. This article aims to explore cancer cell-induced changes of LEC, and study the tumor-lymphatic endothelium interaction. Here, LECs were co-cultured with highly and poorly metastatic tongue cancer cells. The differences in biologic behaviors and gene expression profiles between them were examined. The results showed that LECs induced by highly metastatic cancer cells displayed abnormal biologic behaviors, and could secrete chemokines to promote the migration of cancer cells. Therefore, biologic properties and functional status of LECs in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) might be a positive factor in lymphatic dissemination.

Identification of oral cancer cell-induced changes in gene expression profile of lymphatic endothelial cell

Understading functional properties of tumor-derived lymphatic endothelial cells (TLEC) are relevant for blocking lymphatic metastasis. The changes of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) cocultured with oral cancer cells in a vitro model were examined. TLEC, in contrast to LEC, were more proliferative and have enhanced ability of lymphangiogenesis and anti-apoptosis. Gene microarrays revealed that 677 unique genes had two-fold or higher change between the two groups. Differential expressions of selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR. Our results indicate that TLEC display abnormal characteristics and are distinct at the molecular level. Manipulation of TLEC is encouraging for therapy of lymphatic metastasis.