Association between expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like protein HuR and cyclooxygenase-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Increased cytoplasmic HuR expression has been noted in several cancer types, where it may contribute to the increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression observed during tumorigenesis and metastasis.


METHODS
To assess the correlation between COX-2 and HuR in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the expression patterns of HuR and COX-2 were assessed via immunohistochemistry analyses of 103 OSCC samples.


RESULTS
Cytoplasmic HuR expression was significantly associated with COX-2 expression (p < .025) and lymph node metastasis (p < .050) and distant metastasis (p < .025). In multivariate analysis, cytoplasmic HuR expression was identified as an independent prognostic parameter for reduced overall survival. The inhibition of HuR expression by siRNA or leptomycin B (LMB) caused a reduction in the inducibility of COX-2 in oral cancer cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that the cytoplasmic expression of HuR is associated with COX-2 expression in OSCCs and HuR can regulate COX-2 expression in oral cancer cell lines.
Oral Cancer Research Institute, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Jeong-Dan
JD
Cha
ShengJin
S
Li
In-Ho
IH
Cha
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D000067780:ELAV-Like Protein 1; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D000067780:ELAV-Like Protein 1; C098770:ELAVL1 protein, human; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C038753:leptomycin B