Effects of HPV-16 infection on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and FaDu cells.
Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of malignant tumor among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Heavy smoking and/or drinking is associated with the development of HNSCC. However, HNSCC also occurs in individuals that do not drink or smoke, possibly due to infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV-16 has been shown to be closely associated with the occurrence of several types of cancers. However, its role in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of HPV-16 on hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and FaDu cells. Lentiviral vectors were used to establish FaDu cells that expressed the E6 and E7 proteins of HPV-16. We used quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and western blotting to detect and determine the levels of expression for E6-E7 mRNAs and proteins. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Transwell assays, and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects of HPV-16 E6-E7 on the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis of FaDu cells. Expression of microRNAs was analyzed by qRT-PCR. We found that the expression levels of HPV-16 E6-E7 were increased in FaDu cells transfected with the lentiviral vector compared with that observed in the control cells. In addition, the rates of apoptosis were decreased in the transfected cells, while proliferation was increased. The average numbers of cells penetrating the Matrigel were significantly higher than those for the controls. We detected miR-363 and miR-15a, and their expression levels were significantly increased in the HPV-16-positive patients and in FaDu cells expressing HPV-16 E6-E7. We found that HPV-16 E6-E7 appeared to inhibit apoptosis, and to increase cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, miR-363 and miR-15a were overexpressed in the hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma samples infected with HPV-16, and in FaDu cells stably expressing HPV-16 E6-E7. These findings may provide a new clue of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HPV-16-positive hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.
Wuhao
W
Lu
Department of Pathogenic Organism Biology, Henan University of TCM, Zhengzhou, Henan 450008, P.R. China.
Long
L
Feng
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.
Ping
P
Li
College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China.
Yuanyuan
Y
Wang
College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China.
Yuwen
Y
Du
College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China.
Xiaonan
X
Chen
Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.
Shujun
S
Wu
College of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, P.R. China.
Guoqiang
G
Zhao
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China.
Weihua
W
Lou
D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C068651:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; C505361:MIRN15 microRNA, human; C574861:MIRN363 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C059731:oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16