Involvement of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in lymph node metastases and development of oral squamous cell carcinomas.
The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor (SDF-1/CXCL12) and its specific receptor, CXCR4, have been implicated in the regulation of tumor growth and organ-specific spread. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in samples obtained from primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity (OCSCC) and of the lip (LSCC) and in metastatic and non-metastatic lymph node tissues. The relationship of CXCL12/CXCR4 with clinical and microscopic parameters was also evaluated. The analysis of mRNA expression revealed a higher expression of CXCR4 in oral SCC compared with healthy oral mucosa (p = 0.006). The density of CXCR4+ cells was higher in parenchyma of OCSCC with lymph node metastases than in LSCC. With regard to the stroma, OCSCC showed a greater CXCR4+ and CXCL12+ cell percentage in relation to LSCC. Furthermore, the density of CXCL12+ and CXCR4+ nodal cells was higher in metastatic than non-metastatic lymph nodes in the same patients. Considering clinical and microscopic parameters, we found a positive association between the percentages of CXCL12+ and CXCR4+ stromal cells and the tumor proliferation index. Our findings suggest that the CXCL12/CXCR4 system may play a role in tumor cell spread to lymph nodes and also in neoplastic development.
Oliveira-Neto
Helenisa Helena
HH
Department of Stomatology-Oral Pathology, Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. helenisahelena@hotmail.com
Silva
Erica Tatiane
ET
Leles
Cláudio Rodrigues
CR
Mendonça
Elismauro Francisco
EF
Alencar
Rita de Cássia
Rde C
Silva
Tarcília Aparecida
TA
Batista
Aline Carvalho
AC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4