CD200: association with cancer stem cell features and response to chemoradiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of CD200, a membrane protein that functions in immune evasion, to examine its correlations with cancer stem cell (CSC)-like features and analyze its response to chemotherapy and radiation in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive (+) and negative (-) head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).


METHODS
CD200 expression was analyzed in several HNSCC cell lines. CD200 was overexpressed in HPV(+) murine tonsil epithelial cells, its effects on Shh and Bmi-1 were examined in vitro, and tumor growth and response to chemoradiation were analyzed in vitro and in vivo.


RESULTS
CD200 was diversely expressed and consistently associated with expression of Bmi-1 and Shh. Overexpression of CD200 induced Bmi-1 and Shh. Tumors grew similarly between C57BL/6 and Rag1(-/-) C57BL/6 mice. CD200 expression enhanced the resistance to chemoradiation only in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
CD200 was related to CSC features and modulates response to chemoradiation in vivo. Attenuating this might be a potential therapeutic strategy.
Head and Neck Oncology Clinic, Center for Thyroid Cancer, Department of Otolaryngology, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
Yuh-Seog
YS
Jung
Paola D
PD
Vermeer
Daniel W
DW
Vermeer
Sang-Jin
SJ
Lee
Ah Ra
AR
Goh
Hyun-Joo
HJ
Ahn
John H
JH
Lee
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014162:Transfection; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015703:Antigens, CD; C042739:antigens, CD200
CD200; human papillomavirus; immune tolerance; neoplastic stem cells; oropharyngeal cancer