Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulates mitogenesis and migration of a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the effect of extracellular matrix and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on the growth and motility of cultured squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells.


METHODS
Cultured cells were incubated in the presence of HGF/SF. The effect of HFG/SF on cell growth, motility, and phosphorylation of the signaling proteins FAK and Erk was determined.


RESULTS
HGF/SF is both mitogenic and motogenic to the human SCCHN cell line FaDu. Incubation of FaDu cells in the presence of HGF/SF led to a rapid increase in phosphorylation of both FAK and the growth-promoting kinase Erk. HGF/SF-induced phosphorylation of FAK and Erk was observed in both detached and attached SCCHN cells. However, phosphorylation was much greater in attached cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The mitogenic and motogenic activities of HGF/SF may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCCHN in vivo.
Fleigel
Jeffery
J
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Sedwick
Jack
J
Kornberg
Lori J
LJ
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor