Investigation of CXCR4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its influence on proliferation of tumor cells in vitro / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of CXCR4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its influence on the proliferation of OSCC cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of CXCR4 was evaluated by immunohistochemical study in 91 surgically resected oral squamous cell carcinoma, and the relation between the staining and clinicopathological features was examined. Flow cytometry was used to detect CXCR4 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. MTT assay was used to evaluate the SDF-1/CXCR4 influence on proliferation of tumor cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of CXCR4 in OSCC was 62.6% and there was a significant association between the expression of CXCR4 and lymph node metastases (P < 0.05), tumor size (P < 0.01) and tumor histology grade (P < 0.01). In flow cytometry, a significant shift in fluorescent staining was seen in cells. In MTT assay, recombinant SDF-1 stimulated proliferation of OSCC cell and CXCR4 neutralization by monoclonal antibodies decreased proliferation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of CXCR4 was significantly correlated with the clinicopathological features and tumor proliferation. CXCR4 might be a valuable biomarker to predict the progression of OSCC.</p>