ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of 17 beta-estradiol on the adhesion, invasion and motility potential of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of 17 beta-estradiol on adhesion, invasion and motility potential of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells were investigated with cell attachment assay on fibronectin (FN), wound assay, chemotaxis assay, and gelatin-incorporated SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The expression of estrogen receptor in Mc3 cells was determined by immunohistochemistry assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Attachment rates of Mc3 cells treated with E2 at 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L were 38.3%, 50.4%, 69.2% and 91.1% respectively, and the rate in control was 25.0%. When exposed to 17 beta-estradiol at 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/L for 48 h, motility of Mc3 cells on FN increased by 16.9%, 40.9%, 36.4% and 38.8% respectively. When at 10(-6) mol/l, 17 beta-estradiol increased chemotaxis potential of Mc3 cells to FN by 60.3%. The activity of 68 000 matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) of Mc3 cells was enhanced at different levels by 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L of 17 beta-estradiol, and estrogen receptor was also detected in nucleus of Mc3 cells by immunohistochemistry assay.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>17 beta-estradiol at physiological concentration may enhance the adhesion, invasion and motility potential of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells.</p>
