title: Expression of NF-kappaB parallels COX-2 expression in oral precancer and cancer: association with smokeless tobacco.
abstract: Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and COX-2 overexpression have been reported in head and neck cancer, but the relationship between these proteins remains to be investigated. To determine the relationship between NF-kappaB and COX-2 in Smokeless Tobacco (ST) associated oral tumorigenesis, we performed immunohistochemistry in serial sections from 107 OSCCs, 78 oral precancerous lesions (OPLs) (58 hyperplasias, 20 dysplasias) and 15 histologically normal oral tissues and correlated with clinicopathological data. Significant increase in NF-kappaB and COX-2 immunopositivity was observed from normal oral mucosa to OPLs to OSCCs (p = 0.009 and p = 0.002 respectively). Upregulation of NF-kappaB and COX-2 was observed as early as in hyperplasia [p = 0.006; OR = 6.1 and p = 0.003; OR = 7.6, respectively]. Expression of both proteins was found to be significantly associated in OPLs (p = 0.000; OR = 12.6) and OSCCs (p = 0.001; OR = 4.0). Intriguingly, khaini consumption correlated with NF-kappaB immunopositivity in OPLs (p = 0.05, OR = 3.8) and OSCCs (p = 0.01, OR = 3.4) and with COX-2 expression in OPLs (p = 0.03; OR = 4.3). In vitro experimental system of ST associated oral carcinogenesis was used to demonstrate ST (khaini) and NNK mediated activation of NF-kappaB and COX-2, supporting the clinical data. In conclusion, this study demonstrates correlation between over expression of NF-kappaB and COX-2 in early precancerous stages of development of oral cancer and sustained elevation down the tumorigenic pathway, underscoring their potential as targets for early intervention. In vitro studies demonstrated that NNK may be one of the carcinogenic components of ST (khaini) inducing activation of NF-kappaB and COX-2 in oral precancer and cancer cells, suggesting plausible role in ST-induced oral carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Meenakshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawhney
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rohatgi
authors.forename: Jatinder
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Shishir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shishodia
authors.forename: Gautam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: Siddhartha D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Suryanaryana V S
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Deo
authors.forename: Nootan K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Bharat B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Ranju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ralhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009602:Nitrosamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009602:Nitrosamines; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C016583:4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human