title: Gene therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using KITENIN (KAI1 COOH-Terminal Interacting Tetraspanin)-antisense therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  KAI1 COOH-terminal interacting tetraspanin (KITENIN) has been found to act as a promoter of metastasis in murine models of colon cancer and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The suppression of tumor progression and metastasis of established colon cancer in mice was observed after intravenous delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting KITENIN. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of gene therapy targeting KITENIN in human head and neck SCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  SNU-1041, a well-established human hypopharyngeal SCC cell line, was used. KITENIN expression in SNU-1041 was measured by Western blot analysis. The cells were prepared, maintained in culture dishes with media, and divided into two groups: the si-KITENIN group and the scrambled group (control). The siRNA targeting KITENIN (si-KITENIN) and scrambled DNA were transfected into the SNU-1041 cells in each group. The effect of gene therapy was compared by in vitro experiments to evaluate invasion, migration, and proliferation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  KITENIN was strongly expressed in the SNU-1041 cells, and the number of invaded cells was reduced more in the si-KITENIN group than in the scrambled group (p<0.001). The speed for the narrowing gap, made through adherent cells, was lower in the si-KITENIN group (p<0.001), and the number of viable proliferating cells was reduced in the si-KITENIN group compared to the scrambled group (p<0.001, the third day). KITENIN protein expression was no longer identified in the si-KITENIN group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gene therapy using an anti-KITENIN strategy might be effective for head and neck squamous carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun 519-763, Korea. joonkyoo@chonnam.ac.kr
authors.forename: Joon Kyoo
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Gene
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jeong A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Sang Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jeong Joon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Myung-Whun
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Kyung Keun
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C488287:VANGL1 protein, human