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Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma – evidence for COX‐2 induction by areca quid ingredients in oral keratinocytes
Author(s) -
Tang DehWei,
Lin ShuChun,
Chang KuoWei,
Chi ChinWen,
Chang CheShoa,
Liu TsungYun
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2003.00182.x
Subject(s) - areca , immunohistochemistry , carcinogenesis , messenger rna , cyclooxygenase , medicine , cancer research , blot , pathology , biology , cancer , enzyme , gene , biochemistry , structural engineering , nut , engineering
Background: Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 has been demonstrated in several human cancers. Whether COX‐2 is up‐regulated in areca quid (AQ) related oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unknown and the potential of AQ ingredients to induce COX‐2 expression has not been studied. Methods: COX‐2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR in oral tissues. The COX‐2 mRNA and protein induction potential of AQ ingredients were analyzed by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting in normal human oral keratinocyte (NHOK). Results: COX‐2 protein expression was significantly higher ( P < 0.01) in OSCC ( n = 27) as compared to their adjacent non‐cancerous matched tissue (NCMT). COX‐2 protein was nearly undetectable in control normal oral mucosa. The level of COX‐2 mRNA was markedly elevated in 63% (12/19) of OSCC compared to NCMT. Hydroxychavicol induced COX‐2 mRNA and protein expression in NHOK. Conclusions: COX‐2 protein as well as mRNA expression were significantly enhanced in OSCC as compared to NCMT. Hydroxychavicol, a unique ingredient in AQ, induced COX‐2 expression in NHOK, which highlighted early involvement of COX‐2 in AQ‐associated oral oncogenesis.