The expression and significance of the Notch signaling pathway molecules in tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of Notch signaling receptors Notchl, Notch3 and its ligand Jaggedl, Jagged2 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>mRNA and protein expression levels of tissue samples from 74 cases of tongue cancer patients and human tongue cell line Cal-27 were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Its relationship with cell proliferation and clinical pathology was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>mRNA and protein expression were detected in tongue cancer tissues, adjacent tissues and cell lines. Notchl and Notch3 protein expression in tongue cancer was higher than the adjacent tissues. Jaggedl and Jagged2 protein expression in tongue cancer and adjacent tissues had no difference. Notchl and Notch3 protein had correlation with tongue cancer clinical staging. Pathway protein expression had no correlation with pathological grade, age, gender. Notchl protein expression in lymph node metastasis-positive cases was higher than in lymph node metastasis-negative cases. The expression of Notch3 and Jagged2 had correlation. Jaggedl expression grade in metastasis-positive cases was higher than in negative cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Notch signaling molecules have active expression in TSCC and may play important roles in tongue cancer development.</p>

Effect of specific hTERT-siRNA on growth of human tongue cancer cells in vivo and in vitro / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effect and mechanisms of siRNA-hTERT-induced inhibition of Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: A small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting to hTERT mRNA (siRNA-hTERT_1) was constructed. The siRNA was transfected into Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vivo and in vitro with cationic liposome. A non-specific siRNA (siRNA-hTERT_2) and non-treatment were used as negative control group and blank group. The cell growth in vitro was detected by MTT method. The cell apoptosis in vitro was analyzed by flow cytometry. The effect of siRNA-hTERT_1 on xenografts in nude mice was observed by determining the tumor size. The cell apoptosis in xenografts was analyzed by Hoechst staining. The expressions of hTERT mRNA in vitro and in vivo were detected by RT- PCR. RESULTS: The inhibition rates of cell growth in vitro 72 h after siRNA-hTERT_1 treatment was 47.2%, significantly higher than that in siRNA-hTERT_2 treatment group (2.6%, P<0.01). The cell apoptosis rate was 27.30%±0.18% in vitro, significantly increased at 48 h after transfection of siRNA-hTERT_1, compared to negative control group and blank group (P<0.01). The size of xenografts in siRNA-hTERT_1 treatment group was (298.8±138.7)mm~3, significantly smaller than that in siRNA-hTERT_2 treatment group and blank group (495.1±151.6)mm~3 and (506.8±207.4)mm~3, the inhibition rate was 40.0% (P<0.01). The numbers of apoptotic cells in xenografts significantly increased after transfection of siRNA-hTERT_1, compared to negative control group and blank group (P<0.01). Compared to negative control group and blank group, the expression of hTERT mRNA in Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo was inhibited by siRNA-hTERT_1. CONCLUSION: siRNA-hTERT_1 powerfully inhibits the growth of Tca8113 tongue cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The specific inhibition of hTERT mRNA expression and cell apoptosis may be its main mechanisms.