This article is mentioned in:

Introduction

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for ~90% of oral cancers (1); it is the sixth most common malignancy in the world (2) and one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality (3,4). In Taiwan, based on a 2012 report from the Department of Health, R.O.C. (Taiwan), ~11.0 individuals per 10,000 die annually from oral cancer. In Taiwan, oral cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the 16th in women. There are several different treatments for oral cancer (including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy); however, the overall survival rate is unsatisfactory (4). A challenge to cancer treatment is that cancer cells migrate to and invade other tissues or organs. There is a need to find new agents to treat SCC.

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid; GA) exists in natural plants and has been shown to have anticancer effects in human leukemia HL-60RG (5), lung cancer (6), stomach cancer, colon cancer (7), prostate cancer (8,9), melanoma (10) and esophageal cancer (11), PC12 rat pheochromocytoma (12) and mouse leukemia WEHI-3 cells (13). Our laboratory previously reported that GA induces apoptosis in human lung cancer NCI-H460 cells in vitro and in vivo (14). Cancer metastasis is caused by cell adhesion, migration and invasion. GA has anti-metastatic effects on gastric cancer cells which is due to inhibition of NF-κB activity and downregulation of PI3K/AKT/small GTPs signaling (15). GA inhibits the migration and invasion of A375.S2 human melanoma cells through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and Ras (16), and GA inhibits adhesion of melanoma B16F10 cells (14). Recently, we also found that GA-inhibited migration and invasion in U-2 OS cells that may be due to downregulation of PKC, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and PI3K/AKT, resulting in inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression (17). There are no reports on whether GA blocks migration and invasion of human oral cancer cells. In the present study, we determined whether GA inhibits migration and invasion of human oral cancer SCC-4 cells in vitro.

Materials and methods

Materials and chemicals

GA, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), pyruvate, penicillin G, streptomycin, trypan blue and Triton X-100 were purchased from Sigma Chemical. (St. Louis, MO, USA). Primary and secondary antibodies for western blotting were purchased from Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA, USA). Materials and chemicals for electrophoresis were obtained from Bio-Rad (Hercules, CA, USA).

SCC-4 cell culture

The SCC-4 human oral cell line was purchased from the Food Industry Research and Development Institute (Hsinchu, Taiwan). Cells were cultured in 90% DMEM medium with 10% FBS and 2 mM L-glutamine containing antibiotics (100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin). Cells were cultured in 75-cm2 tissue culture flasks and incubated under a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere at 37°C as previously described (18).

Cell viability assay

SCC-4 cells (2×105 cells/well) were maintained in 12-well plates for 24 h. Cells were then incubated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 and 48 h. Each treatment was performed in triplicate. Cells were harvested and PI (5 μg/ml) added to the cells and analyzed using a PI exclusion method by flow cytometry (BD Biosciences, FACSCalibur, San Jose, CA, USA) as previously described (18,19).

Cell-matrix adhesion assay

SCC-4 cells (2×105 cells/well) were maintained in 12-well plates and were then incubated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 and 48 h. Cells were then placed on 24-well plates which were coated with 150 μl of 10 μg/ml type I collagen for 2 h. Non-adherent cells were removed and adherent cells were fixed with ethanol for 15 min and then stained with 0.2% crystal violet for 10 min and washed with PBS. Cells were lysed in 0.2% Triton X-100 for 30 min and 150 μl of the lysate was added to a 96-well ELISA plate. The absorbance (540 nm) was measured as described previously (19).

Wound healing assay

SCC-4 cells (5×105 cells/well) were kept in 10-cm Petri dishes for 24 h. Wounds were created with a sterile yellow micropipette tip on cell monolayers. Unscraped cells were washed with PBS three times and dead cells removed and fresh DMEM medium supplemented with FBS containing 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA added for 24 h. The wound healing area was then examined and images were captured using an inverted microscope as described previously (18,19).

Cell migration and invasion assays

Matrigel Cell Migration Assay and Invasion System were used for measuring cell migration and invasion, respectively, as described previously (18). The cell migration assay was performed using Transwell cell culture chambers (8-mm pore size; Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA). SCC-4 cells (5×104 cells/well) were added to serum-free DMEM medium and placed in the upper chamber of the Transwell insert and incubated with 0, 30 and 60 μM of GA. DMEM medium (90%) containing 10% FBS was added to the lower chamber as a chemoattractant. Following incubation for 24 and 48 h, non-migrating cells were removed from the top chamber with a cotton swab. The cells on the lower surface were fixed with 4% formaldehyde in PBS. At the end of fixation, the chambers were rinsed with PBS and cells in the lower chamber were stained with 2% crystal violet in 2% ethanol for 10 min. Images were counted and captured using a light microscope at ×200. The cell invasion assay was performed the same as the cell migration assay except that the filter membrane was coated with Matrigel from a BioCoat Matrigel invasion kit. Cells that invaded to the underside of the filter were counted using a light microscope at ×200 as described previously (18,19).

Gelatin gel zymographic assay for MMP-2 activity

Gelatin gel zymography was used to quantify MMP-2 activity according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Briefly, SCC-4 cells (5×105 cells/well) were maintained in 12-well plates and then treated with GA (0, 5, 30 and 60 μM) for 24 and 48 h. Total protein (50 μg) was re-suspended in non-reducing loading buffer and incubated at 37°C for 15 min. Electrophoresis was performed on 10% SDS-PAGE cast with 0.1% gelatin and electrophoresed on Novex® Zymogram gels (Life Technologies). The specific MMP-2 bands were detected by staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (Life Technologies) as described previously (18,19).

Western blot analysis of proteins associated with cell migration and invasion

SCC-4 cells (1×106 cells/well) were placed in 6-well plates for 24 h and were then incubated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 0, 24 and 48 h. Cells were harvested, lysed, and total protein determined by a Bio-Rad protein assay kit (Hercules, CA, USA) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the standard as described previously (18,19). Samples (30 μg protein) were loaded onto 12% SDS-polyacrylamide gels, electrophoresed and then electrotransferred to nitrocellulose membranes, blotted with the relevant primary antibodies [anti-FAK, MEKK3, p-PERK, p-p38, p-JNK1/2, p-ERK1/2, SOS1, RhoA, GRB2, Ras, PKC, p-AKT (Thr308), PI3K, NF-κB p65, MMP-2 and MMP-9], washed, and then stained with a secondary antibody. Protein bands were examined by an enhanced chemiluminescence reagent (ECLTM; Amersham Biosciences) and bands were quantified using an NIH Image analyzer (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) as described previously (18,19).

Immunofluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy

SCC-4 cells (3×105 cells/well) were plated on 6-well chamber slides, treated with 0, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 h, and fixed with formaldehyde (3%) in PBS for 15 min. The cells were permeabilized using 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 1 h and washed three times with PBS followed by blocking of SCC-4 cells (3×105 cells/well) using 2% BSA in non-specific binding sites as described previously (18). Cells were stained with primary antibodies such as anti-NF-κB p65 and RhoA (1:100 dilution) overnight, and were then stained with secondary FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (1:200 dilution) (green fluorescence). Cell nuclei were counterstained with PI (Molecular Probes; Invitrogen Corp.) (red fluorescence). All samples were photomicrographed using a Leica TCS SP2 confocal spectral microscope as described previously (18,19).

Statistical analysis

All experiments were performed in triplicate and data are expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student’s t-test, with values of *P<0.05 considered to indicate statistically significant differences.

Results

GA decreases the percentage of viable SCC-4 human oral cancer cells

We evaluated the effects of GA on cell viability using flow cytometry and results are shown in Fig. 1. GA at concentrations of 5–60 μM significantly reduced cell viability in a dose and time-dependent manner (Fig. 1).

Figure 1 Gallic acid (GA) decreases the percentage of viable SCC-4 human oral cancer cells. Cells (2×105 cells/well) were incubated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 and 48 h and were then harvested for measuring the percentage of viable cells by flow cytometry as described in Materials and methods. *P<0.05, significant difference between GA-treated and control groups as analyzed by Student’s t-test.

GA inhibits the adhesion of SCC-4 cells in vitro

SCC-4 cells were treated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM GA and inhibition of cell adhesion was determined using an ELISA reader. Results are shown in Fig. 2A and B. Cell adhesion was significantly reduced dose- and time-independently by GA compared with control groups.

Figure 2 Gallic acid (GA) inhibits the cell-matrix adhesion of SCC-4 cells. SCC-4 cells (2×105 cells/well) were incubated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for (A) 24 and (B) 48 h. All cells were placed on 24-well plates which were coated with 150 μl of type I collagen for 2 h. Then adherent cells were fixed with ethanol for 15 min and were stained with 0.2% crystal violet for 10 min. Cells were lysed in 0.2% Triton X-100 for 30 min and the 150 μl lysed solution was individually added to a 96-well ELISA plate, followed by measurement of the 540 nm absorbance as described in Materials and methods. *P<0.05, significant difference between GA-treated and control groups as analyzed by Student’s t-test.

GA suppresses the migration of SCC-4 cells in vitro

SCC-4 cells were treated with 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA and wound healing assay performed. Data in Fig. 3 show that GA inhibited the migration of SCC-4 cells based on the extent of wound closure. These effects were dose- and time-dependent.

Figure 3 Gallic acid (GA) affects the migration of SCC-4 cell. Cells were kept on the 6-well dish for 24 h and then a wound was created by a yellow pipette tip to scrape the confluent cell layers. GA (0, 5, 30, and 60 μM) was individually added to the well and was then incubated for 24 h. Some of the representative images of invading treated and untreated cells are presented.

GA inhibits the migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells in vitro

Cell migration activity and invasion potential of SCC-4 cells were examined and photographed and the representative figures and evaluated inhibitions are shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4A and B indicate that GA significantly inhibited migration of SCC-4 cells, ratio of migrated cells went from 50.56 to 36.81% treated with 30 and 60 μM respectively at 24 h, to 66.40 and 51.99% at 48 h. This was in agreement with results from the healing assay (Fig. 3). Fig. 4C and D indicate that GA significantly inhibited the invasion of SCC-4 cells, ratio of invaded cells went from 53.18 to 40.17% treated with 30 and 60 μM respectively at 24 h, to 65.67 and 54.74 % at 48 h.

Figure 4 Gallic acid (GA) suppresses the migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells in vitro. Cells (5×104 cells/well) were treated with or without GA for 24 h after cells penetrated through to the lower surface of the filter, without Matrigel for migration examination (A and B), with Matrigel for invasion examination (C and D). They were then stained with crystal violet, examined and images were captured under a light microscope at ×200. Quantification of cells in the lower chambers was performed by counting cells at ×200. Representative columns (mean) from three independent experiments. *P<0.05, significant difference between GA-treated groups and the control as analyzed by Student’s t-test.

GA inhibits MMP-2 activity of SCC-4 cells

Effects of GA on MMP-2 activity were determined using gelatin zymography. As shown in Fig. 5, SCC-4 cells constitutively secreted high levels of MMP-2 but when incubated with GA at 5, 30 and 60 μM for 24 and 48 h, MMP-2 activity was significantly reduced. This effect of GA was dose-dependent (Fig. 5).

Figure 5 Gallic acid (GA) affects the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities in SAS cells. Cells were treated with or without GA at the final concentration of 0, 5, 30 and 60 μM and were then harvested and performed by gelatin zymography. Representative zymogram from three independent experiments was used to detect the activity of secreted MMP-2. The different activities of MMP-2 were determined by densitometric analysis and results are expressed as a percentage of the control (100%).

GA alters levels of proteins associated with migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells

MMP-2 and MMP-9 are potential target molecules for anti-metastatic activity, and we investigated the effects of GA on MMP-2 and MMP-9 and associated signal protein levels in SCC-4 cells. GA markedly reduced protein levels of FAK, MEKK3, p-PERK (Fig. 6A), p-p38, p-JNK1/2, p-ERK1/2 (Fig. 6B) and SOS1, RhoA, Ras (Fig. 6C). It was also observed that protein levels of PKC, p-AKT (Thr308), PI3K, (Fig. 6D) were decreased in GA-treated cells compared with control cells.

Figure 6 Gallic acid (GA) affects the levels of associated proteins in migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells. Cells (5×104 cells/well) were treated with 5, 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 and 48 h and then cells were collected for the total protein extracted and determined as described in Materials and methods. The levels of FAK, MEKK3, PERK (A); p38, JNK1/2, ERK1/2 (B); SOS1, RhoA, GRB2, Ras (C); PKC, p-AKT(Thr308), PI3K (D); NF-κB p65 (E); MMP-2, MMP-9 (F) expression were estimated by western blotting as described in Materials and methods.

GA alters translocation of NF-κB and RhoA in SCC-4 cells

Effects of GA on distribution of NF-κB p65 and RhoA in SCC-4 cells were examined by confocal laser system microscopy and results can be seen in Fig. 7A and B. GA inhibited the NF-κB p65 (Fig. 7A) and RhoA (Fig. 7B) protein levels in cytosol but increased the protein levels in nuclei.

Figure 7 Gallic acid (GA) affects the NF-κB p65 and RhoA translocation in SCC-4 cells. Cells (5×104 cells/well) were placed on 6-well chamber slides and were then treated with 30 and 60 μM of GA for 24 h. They were then fixed and stained using anti-NF-κB p65 (A), RhoA (B) antibodies (1:100) and stained with a secondary antibody (green fluorescence) followed by nuclear counterstaining with PI (red fluorescence). Photomicrographs were obtained using a Leica TCS SP2 confocal spectral microscope as described in Materials and methods.

Discussion

Numerous studies have demonstrated that gallic acid (GA) induces cytotoxic effects through cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. There are a few reports showing GA inhibited metastasis of cancer cells (15–18). However, the effects of GA on the cell motility of human oral cancer SCC-4 cells have not been examined. We investigated the effects of GA on the migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells in vitro. GA inhibited migration and invasion and these effects were associated with MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and other specific proteins (NF-κB p65, RhoA). MMP-2 and MMP-9 play a critical role in cancer cell migration and invasion (20,21) and overexpression of both enzymes increases migration and invasion of cancer cells (22,23). In the present study, we showed that GA markedly inhibited activation status of MMP-2 and MMP-9 using gelatin zymography (Fig. 5). These findings were consistent with our data showing that GA decreased the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (Fig. 7F). GA also reduced protein levels of PI-3K and downstream kinases JNK and p-p38 (Fig. 7B), and NF-κB (Fig. 7E) in SCC-4 cells. These findings are in agreement with another report which found that GA blocked cell migration and invasion which was associated with inhibition of NF-κB and downregulation of PI3K and AKT signaling (15). It is well documented that NF-κB acts on downstream proteins such as MMP-2 and MMP-9 (24,25).

GA inhibited the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus (Fig. 7A) and significantly reduced protein levels of FAK, MEEK3 and p-PERK in SCC-4 cells. Earlier reports indicated that FAK/Scr was associated with tumor cell migration and invasion (24,25). Activated FAK (Tyr 397)/Src (Tyr 416) may act on PI-3K/AKT and Ras/ERK1/2 cascades impacting signaling (26,27). It was reported that FAK/Src complex allows Src to phosphorylate FAK and then to interact with GRB2 and activation of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway (28).

GA in the present study inhibited the expression of RhoA in SCC-4 cells. RhoA belongs to the prototype protein of the Rho GTPase superfamily that is associated with cell migration among its many effects (28). Both RhoA and ROCK1 are upregulated in tumors and are predicative of cancer progression, metastasis and poor prognosis (29,30). Inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway leads to tumor cell death and reduced metastasis (31,32). The RhoA/ROCK1 pathway may be a promising target for cancer therapy in the future and further investigation is required.

We found that GA inhibited protein levels of Ras and SOS-1 but increased GRB2 abundance (Fig. 7C) in SCC-4 cells. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Grb2 (33), Ras (34), and PKC (35,36) are involved in cell mobility. GA inhibition of cell migration and invasion of SCC-4 cells may also involve inhibition of SOS-1, Ras and RhoA. As depicted in Fig. 8, we propose that GA inhibition of SCC-4 cell migration and invasion may occur via regulation of PKC, Ras, SOS1, FAK, p-JNK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p-p38, PI3K, p-AKT and NF-κB expression. A major consequence of these effects is inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and protein signaling pathways.

Figure 8 The possible signaling pathways for gallic acid-inhibited cell migration and invasion in SCC-4 human oral cancer cells.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grant DOH99-TD-C-111-005 from Department of Health, Executive Yuan (Taiwan, R.O.C). Experiments and data analysis were performed in part through the use of the Medical Research Core Facilities Center, Office of Research and Development at China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.

References