title: The oncogenic role of androgen receptors in promoting the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to examine the expression of androgen receptors (AR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and tumors and to determine the role of AR in regulating OSCC cell growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four OSCC cell lines were used for analyzing AR expression and transcriptional activity. The effects of AR knockdown on the growth and tumorigenicity of OSCC cells were examined. A series of 11 benign, 22 premalignant, and 21 malignant lesions of the oral cavity were used for analyzing AR expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  OSCC cells expressed AR proteins with differential activities. Stimulation of AR by dihydrotestosterone in OSCC cells caused an increase in cyclin D1 expression and promoted cell growth, whereas treatment with bicalutamide led to decreased cyclin D1 expression and inhibited cell growth. Knockdown of AR expression in OSCC cells resulted in decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited tumorigenicity. Results from immunohistochemical studies showed that AR immunoreactivity was found in 27% (3/11) of benign lesions, while 68% (15/22) of premalignant and 67% (14/21) of malignant lesions showed positive AR staining.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that OSCC cells express functional AR proteins which are critical for promoting cell growth and causing malignant disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: T-F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: F-J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: C-M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: W-J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: C-F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Y-K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: T-C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D000813:Anilides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000737:chemistry*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D000813:Anilides; D009570:Nitriles; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D019938:Cyclin D1; C053541:bicalutamide
keywords: androgen receptor; bicalutamide; cell growth; dihydrotestosterone; oral squamous cell carcinoma