Tumor associated macrophages induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition via the EGFR/ERK1/2 pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Tumor associated macrophages induce epithelial to mesenchymal transition via the EGFR/ERK1/2 pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Rep. 2018 Aug 17;: Authors: Gao L, Zhang W, Zhong WQ, Liu ZJ, Li HM, Yu ZL, Zhao YF Abstract The development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is closely associated with inflammation. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), the largest population of inflammatory cells in the tumor stroma, serve an important role in accelerating cancer progression. The present study aimed to investigate the role of TAMs in the metastasis of HNSCC. TAM biomarkers and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)‑associated proteins were detected using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining in HNSCC. Then, direct and indirect co‑culture systems of TAMs and HNSCC cells were established. The EMT‑associated proteins and associated signaling pathways in HNSCC cells of the co‑culture system were measured by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Finally, hierarchical clustering was performed to analyze associations among TAM biomarkers, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), activated extracellular signal‑regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and EMT‑associated proteins in HNSCC tissues. The results indicated that the expression of EMT‑associated proteins was positively associated with M2 macrophage biomarkers in HNSCC tissues....
Source: Oncology Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncol Rep Source Type: research