Open Access

Changes in cell junctions induced by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

  • Authors:
    • Yasumasa Kakei
    • Shun Teraoka
    • Masaya Akashi
    • Takumi Hasegawa
    • Takahide Komori
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 14, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4606
  • Pages: 953-960
  • Copyright: © Kakei et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The benefits of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting in the treatment of head and neck cancer, have been documented. However, a minority of patients with head and neck cancer are unresponsive to EGFR targeting therapies. The present study evaluated the effects and limitations of an EGFR inhibitor on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, particularly on cell‑cell junctions mediated by epithelial (E)‑cadherin. HSC‑3 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells were treated with the EGFR inhibitor, AG1478 (0, 0.5, 2, 10 and 50 µM), and the effects of EGFR inhibition in HSC‑3 cells were evaluated by wound healing assays, E‑cadherin immunostaining and measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance in vitro. It was observed that treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells with AG1478 suppressed cell motility, altered cell morphology and increased the number of cell‑cell junctions compared with untreated control cells. Knockdown of EGFR induced a similar phenotype to that observed by the inhibition of EGFR. Furthermore, in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells treated with high‑dose EGFR inhibitor (50 µM), the small number of cells that survived formed cell‑cell junctions that were positive for E‑cadherin expression. In cells treated with low concentrations of EGFR inhibitor (2 µM), recovery of epithelial properties was observed. The retention of E‑cadherin expression in cells that survived high‑dose EGFR inhibitor treatment may be a survival mechanism of cancer cells.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

August-2017
Volume 14 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Kakei Y, Teraoka S, Akashi M, Hasegawa T and Komori T: Changes in cell junctions induced by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Exp Ther Med 14: 953-960, 2017
APA
Kakei, Y., Teraoka, S., Akashi, M., Hasegawa, T., & Komori, T. (2017). Changes in cell junctions induced by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 14, 953-960. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4606
MLA
Kakei, Y., Teraoka, S., Akashi, M., Hasegawa, T., Komori, T."Changes in cell junctions induced by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14.2 (2017): 953-960.
Chicago
Kakei, Y., Teraoka, S., Akashi, M., Hasegawa, T., Komori, T."Changes in cell junctions induced by inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 14, no. 2 (2017): 953-960. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4606