Expression of caspase-14 reduces tumorigenicity of skin cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possesses anti-carcinogenic properties and was found to induce terminal differentiation in epidermal keratinocytes. Caspase-14, a member of the caspase family associated with epithelial cell differentiation, planned cell death, and barrier formation, is induced by EGCG in normal human epidermal keratinocytes but not in cancer cells.


METHODS
A human epidermoid cancer cell line, A431, was co-transfected with a caspase-14-expressing pCMV vector and a GFP/neo-etpressingpCMVvector. Cell growth and tumorigenicity of the stable transfectant were determined in comparison to cells transfected with the control GFP/neo-expressing pCMV vector.


RESULTS
Expression of exogenous caspase-14 led to growth inhibition and reduced the tumorigenicity of A431 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Pending future studies, caspase-14 could be used as a novel approach to skin cancer therapy via gene delivery systems.
Hsu
Stephen
S
Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA. shsu@mail.mcg.edu
Qin
Haiyan
H
Dickinson
Douglas
D
Xie
Ding
D
Bollag
Wendy B
WB
Stoppler
Hubert
H
Pearl
Henna
H
Vu
Anna
A
Watkins
Margaretta
M
Koehler
Meredith
M
Schuster
George
G
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D053456:Caspase 14 / Q000235:genetics*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D053456:Caspase 14