Activation of adrenergic receptor [beta]2 promotes tumor progression and epithelial mesenchymal transition in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: International journal of molecular medicine Vol. 41; no. 1; p. 147
• Main Authors: Liu, Haichao, Wang, Cheng, Xie, Nan, Zhuang, Zehang, Liu, Xiqiang, Hou, Jinsong, Huang, Hongzhang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spandidos Publications 01-01-2018
• Subjects: Adrenergic receptors; Care and treatment; Development and progression; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Squamous cell carcinoma; Tongue cancer
• ISSN: 1107-3756
• DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3248

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is more aggressive than other cancers in the head and neck region because of its potential for metastasis. Recently, [beta]2-adrenergic receptor ([beta]2-AR) has been reported to be a potential promoter in various types of solid cancer. However, the role of [beta]2-AR and its effect on TSCC is not well documented. Histological staining, western blot analysis, migration and invasion assay were used. In this study, the expression of [beta]2-AR was increased in TSCC tissue compared with adjacent non-cancerous epithelium. Further analysis demonstrated that increased expression of [beta]2-AR was correlated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis and reduced overall survival rate in patients with TSCC. In vitro studies confirmed that activation of [beta]2-AR can promote epithelial mesenchymal transition in TSCC by initiating an interleukin-6/Stat3/Snaill pathway. These results suggest that [beta]2-AR has an oncogenic role in TSCC and may be a potential therapeutic target in TSCC. Key words: [beta]2.adrenergic receptor, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, epithelial mesenchymal transition, interleukin.6