Functional toll-like receptor 3 expressed by oral squamous cell carcinoma induced cell apoptosis and decreased migration

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014 Jul;118(1):92-100. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2014.03.012. Epub 2014 Apr 5.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and function of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Study design: We first assessed TLR3 expression in 20 cases of primary OSCC tissue. Two OSCC cell lines, SCC4 and CAL27, were used for further study. Lyophilized polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)] was used to activate TLR3 expressed by OSCC. Changes in cytokines expression, cell viability, apoptosis, and migration in OSCC were investigated.

Results: TLR3 was present in both OSCC tissue and the 2 OSCC cell lines examined. Poly(I:C) stimulated robust responses in OSCC: it upregulated cytokine expression; decreased cell viability by suppressing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis; and decreased cell migration. Poly(I:C)-TLR3-induced OSCC cell apoptosis was caspase-3-dependent.

Conclusions: The present study indicated that TLR3 might affect OSCC development and should be considered as a potential target for future OSCC immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • TLR3 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3