Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotype in head and neck cancer cells

  • Authors:
    • Takashi Masui
    • Ichiro Ota
    • Jong-In Yook
    • Shinji Mikami
    • Katsunari Yane
    • Toshiaki Yamanaka
    • Hiroshi Hosoi
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 23, 2013     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2225
  • Pages: 693-699
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Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is known to have a poor prognosis. The resistance to treatment and distant metastasis are important clinical problems in HNSCC. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in successful execution of many steps such as the invasion and metastasis for cancer cells. Snail is one of the master regulators that promote EMT in many types of malignancies including HNSCC. Recently, it has been shown that Snail-induced EMT could induce a cancer stem cell (CSC)‑like phenotype in a number of tumor types. In this study, we investigated the role of Snail in inducing EMT properties and CSC-like phenotype in HNSCC. We established HNSCC cell lines transfected with Snail. E-cadherin was analyzed using western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using wound-healing assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. CSC markers of HNSCC, CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), were also evaluated with western blot analysis, and chemosensitivity was assessed with WST-8 assay. Introduction of Snail induced EMT properties in HNSCC cells and enhanced cell migration and invasion. Moreover, Snail-induced EMT gained CSC-like phenotype and was associated with increased chemoresistance. These results suggest that Snail could be one of the attractive targets for the development of therapeutic strategies in HNSCC.
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2014-March
Volume 44 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Masui T, Ota I, Yook J, Mikami S, Yane K, Yamanaka T and Hosoi H: Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotype in head and neck cancer cells. Int J Oncol 44: 693-699, 2014
APA
Masui, T., Ota, I., Yook, J., Mikami, S., Yane, K., Yamanaka, T., & Hosoi, H. (2014). Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotype in head and neck cancer cells. International Journal of Oncology, 44, 693-699. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2225
MLA
Masui, T., Ota, I., Yook, J., Mikami, S., Yane, K., Yamanaka, T., Hosoi, H."Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotype in head and neck cancer cells". International Journal of Oncology 44.3 (2014): 693-699.
Chicago
Masui, T., Ota, I., Yook, J., Mikami, S., Yane, K., Yamanaka, T., Hosoi, H."Snail-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes cancer stem cell-like phenotype in head and neck cancer cells". International Journal of Oncology 44, no. 3 (2014): 693-699. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2013.2225