Collagen type XI α1 facilitates head and neck squamous cell cancer growth and invasion.
BACKGROUND
Although it is well established that the extracellular matrix affects tumour progression, not much is known about the various components and their effect on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression. Levels of collagen type XI α1 (colXIα1), a minor fibrillar collagen, have been shown to be increased in tumour compared with normal tissue in several cancers, including colorectal, breast, and non-small cell lung cancer. Currently, the functional significance of colXIα1 is not understood.


METHODS
We examined the expression levels of colXIα1 mRNA and elucidated the functional role of colXIα1 in HNSCC. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were examined with and without colXIα1 knockdown with siRNA in HNSCC cells.


RESULTS
Our data demonstrate that colXIα1 expression is increased in tumour samples compared with levels in normal adjacent tissue in 16/23 HNSCC patients. In addition, colα11 is increased in HNSCC cell lines compared with normal immortalised epithelial cells and is increased in tumour-derived fibroblasts compared with normal fibroblasts. Using an siRNA approach, we demonstrate that colXIα1 contributes to proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Our cumulative findings suggest that colXIα1 contributes to HNSCC tumorigenesis and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
J C
JC
Sok
J A
JA
Lee
S
S
Dasari
S
S
Joyce
S C
SC
Contrucci
A M
AM
Egloff
B K
BK
Trevelline
R
R
Joshi
N
N
Kumari
J R
JR
Grandis
S M
SM
Thomas
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D024161:Collagen Type XI / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
D024161:Collagen Type XI; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering