CD147 expression correlates with lymph node metastasis in T1-T2 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

S100 proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

The most common tumor affecting the head and neck is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The characteristics of HNSCC include a rapid onset, a lack of early diagnosis, drug resistance, relapse and systemic adverse effects, leading to inadequate prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Notably, previous research suggests that there is an association between S100 proteins and HNSCC. S100A8, S100A9 and S100A14 interfere with tumor cell proliferation by blocking the cell cycle. The present review discusses this association. S100A4 enhances cancer stem cell properties, and interacts with actin and tropomyosin to promote tumor cell migration. S100A1, S100A8, S100A9, S100A10, S100A14 and S100P are involved in the initiation and progression of HNSCC via Hippo, nuclear factor κB, phosphatidylinositol kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin and other signaling pathways. In addition, certain long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs are involved in regulating the expression of S100 proteins in HNSCC. Reducing the expression of certain members of the S100 protein family may enhance the chemosensitivity of HNSCC. Collectively, it is suggested that S100 proteins may function as markers and targets for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC.

S100A8 and S100A9 in Cancer

S100A8 and S100A9 are Ca²⁺ binding proteins that belong to the S100 family. Primarily expressed in neutrophils and monocytes, S100A8 and S100A9 play critical roles in modulating various inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases. Forming a common heterodimer structure S100A8/A9, S100A8 and S100A9 are widely reported to participate in multiple signaling pathways in tumor cells. Meanwhile, S100A8/A9, S100A8, and S100A9, mainly as promoters, contribute to tumor development, growth and metastasis by interfering with tumor metabolism and the microenvironment. In recent years, the potential of S100A8/A9, S100A9, and S100A8 as tumor diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers has also been demonstrated. In addition, an increasing number of potential therapies targeting S100A8/A9 and related signaling pathways have emerged. In this review, we will first expound on the characteristics of S100A8/A9, S100A9, and S100A8 in-depth, focus on their interactions with tumor cells and microenvironments, and then discuss their clinical applications as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We also highlight current limitations and look into the future of S100A8/A9 targeted anti-cancer therapy.

Mini-Review: Can the Metastatic Cascade Be Inhibited by Targeting CD147/EMMPRIN to Prevent Tumor Recurrence?

Solid tumors metastasize very early in their development, and once the metastatic cell is lodged in a remote organ, it can proliferate to generate a metastatic lesion or remain dormant for long periods. Dormant cells represent a real risk for future tumor recurrence, but because they are typically undetectable and insensitive to current modalities of treatment, it is difficult to treat them in time. We describe the metastatic cascade, which is the process that allows tumor cells to detach from the primary tumor, migrate in the tissue, intravasate and extravasate the lymphatics or a blood vessel, adhere to a remote tissue and eventually outgrow. We focus on the critical enabling role of the interactions between tumor cells and immune cells, especially macrophages, in driving the metastatic cascade, and on those stages that can potentially be targeted. In order to prevent the metastatic cascade and tumor recurrence, we would need to target a molecule that is involved in all of the steps of the process, and evidence is brought to suggest that CD147/EMMPRIN is such a protein and that targeting it blocks metastasis and prevents tumor recurrence.

CD147 Promotes Tumor Lymphangiogenesis in Melanoma via PROX-1

Simple Summary

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers, characterized by metastasis to the lymph nodes and a high capacity to develop drug resistance. There is a lack of knowledge on the mechanisms contributing to lymphatic vessel formation and metastasis regulation in malignant melanoma. We previously reported the involvement of CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in melanoma, in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment and angiogenesis. The aim of our study was to further determine how CD147 is involved in lymphangiogenesis regulation. Our results revealed that high CD147 expression is correlated with the number of lymphatic vessels in the human melanoma lymph nodes and that paracrine CD147 upregulates lymphangiogenesis through lymphangiogenic mediators in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that CD147 could be a promising target for melanoma-associated lymphangiogenesis inhibition.

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers and is characterized by early lymph node metastasis and the capacity to develop resistance to therapies. Hence, understanding the regulation of lymphangiogenesis through mechanisms contributing to lymphatic vessel formation represents a treatment strategy for metastatic cancer. We have previously shown that CD147, a transmembrane glycoprotein overexpressed in melanoma, regulates the angiogenic process in endothelial cells. In this study, we show a correlation between high CD147 expression levels and the number of lymphatic vessels expressing LYVE-1, Podoplanin, and VEGFR-3 in human melanoma lymph nodes. CD147 upregulates in vitro lymphangiogenesis and its related mediators through the PROX-1 transcription factor. In vivo studies in a melanoma model confirmed that CD147 is involved in metastasis through a similar mechanism as in vitro. This study, demonstrating the paracrine role of CD147 in the lymphangiogenesis process, suggests that CD147 could be a promising target for the inhibition of melanoma-associated lymphangiogenesis.

SDF-1/CXCR4 induces cell invasion through CD147 in squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a poor prognosis due to local invasion and metastasis. The chemokine receptor CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), play roles in tumor progression through unclear mechanisms. For the present study, we used a hypopharyngeal SCC cell line, FaDu, expressing CXCR4. We found that SDF-1 promotes migration and invasion of the FaDu cells. In addition, AMD3100, a specific antagonist of CXCR4, inhibited the binding of SDF-1 to CXCR4, resulting in a significant decrease in the FaDu cell migration induced by SDF-1. Stimulation of CXCR4 with SDF-1 induced an increase in the expression of CD147, a cell membrane protein; and this CD147 upregulation was abrogated by AMD3100. CD147 function-blocking antibodies also abolished the SDF-1-induced FaDu invasiveness. Our results suggested that SDF-1/CXCR4 mediate hypopharyngeal SCC cell migration and that CD147 is involved in the SDF-1/CXCR4-related tumor progression.

The Combination of CD147 and MMP-9 Serum Levels Is Identified as Novel Chemotherapy Response Markers of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

To evaluate the correlation between the changes in serum concentrations of cluster of differentiation-147 (scCD147) and chemotherapy outcome in patients with NSCLC and evaluate the combination of scCD147 with serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (scMMP-9) levels in the prediction of chemotherapy response, eighty-two patients with advanced LC were enrolled. Newly diagnosed cases were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. We measured scCD147 protein levels in LC cases by ELISA and used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to analyze the results. Four time points were chosen to examine the association between the changes in scCD147 and chemotherapy outcome: before chemotherapy and 21 days after the start of the first, second, and fourth chemotherapy cycles. We assessed the combination of scCD147 and scMMP-9 serum levels in predicting the chemotherapy response. scCD147 was higher in LC cases than that in healthy volunteers (HVs). scCD147 was associated with distant metastases and TNM stage. scCD147 and scMMP-9 appeared to be independent predictive factors for chemotherapy outcomes after the first and second chemotherapy cycles for patients with NSCLC. Multivariable analysis also demonstrated that variations in scCD147 and scMMP-9 could be independent factors for monitoring chemotherapy outcome for patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, when scCD147 and scMMP-9 are combined into a new risk model, it has a markedly better prediction of chemotherapy outcomes than each protein alone. scCD147 and MMP-9 are potential predictive biomarkers for efficacy, and their combination significantly improves the predictive power for chemotherapy response in patients with NSCLC.

CD147 promotes cervical cancer migration and invasion by up-regulating fatty acid synthase expression

CD147 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that when highly expressed contributes to tumor progression. In the present study, we investigate the clinical relevance of CD147 expression in CCSC tissues and evaluate the association between CD147 expression and cervical lymph node metastasis; CD147 was detected using immunohistochemistry. To functionally analyze the role of CD147 in CCSC cell lines in vitro, SiHa cells were employed, whose endogenous CD147 was artificially downregulated, by using lentiviral-based transfection. Moreover, we have confirmed that knockdown of CD147 led to reduced levels of cellular lipid content in shCD147 cells by BODIPY staining. Cell invasion and migration were analyzed using transwell assays and wound healing. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were assessed by an endothelial cell tube formation assay. Our data showed that highly expressed CD147 up-regulated the major lipogenic genes, FAS and ACC1 to promote de novo lipogenesis, and knockdown of CD147 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of CSCC cells. The culture supernatants of CD147 knockdown cells significantly inhibited vascular and lymphatic endothelial cell tube formation. Our results suggest that CD147-mediated FAS and ACC1 overexpression are major regulators of cervical cancer growth and metastasis.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Using Preoperative Computed Tomographic Lymphography and Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in Patients With Localized Tongue Cancer

Importance

The indocyanine green method alone is unsuitable for sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with oral cancer because of poor transcutaneous identification of the fluorescent signal through the platysma and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

Objective

To assess the utility of a novel sentinel lymph node biopsy technique using preoperative computed tomographic (CT) lymphography followed by the intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence method.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this prospective study performed at Akita University Hospital, Akita, Japan, participants comprised 18 patients with previously untreated cN0 tongue cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) were enrolled from November 2012 to November 2016. Median observer period was 38 (range, 14-62) months. Analysis was completed between January 10 and March 10, 2018.

Interventions

For preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping, CT lymphography was performed the day before sentinel lymph node biopsy. For sentinel lymph node biopsy, a minimum skin incision was made according to the predetermined location of sentinel lymph nodes. Sentinel lymph nodes were excised under indocyanine green fluorescence guidance.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Identification rate of preoperative sentinel lymph node mapping by CT lymphography and the number of sentinel lymph node successfully identified by the intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence method.

Results

Among 18 patients (8 men, 10 women; median age, 65.5 [range, 40-83] years), sentinel lymph nodes could be mapped by preoperative CT lymphography in 16 patients (89%). At least 1 sentinel lymph node was successfully identified and excised in each of these 16 patients using intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence. Among the 16 patients in whom sentinel lymph nodes were excised, metastases to sentinel lymph nodes were found in 5 patients (31%).

Conclusions and Relevance

The novel sentinel lymph node biopsy technique of preoperative CT lymphography mapping with intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence has a high potential for identifying sentinel lymph nodes in patients with cN0 tongue cancer. Because the intraoperative indocyanine green method alone cannot identify sentinel lymph nodes in the neck region, this combined method has clinical potential as a sentinel lymph node biopsy technique that does not require radioisotopes.

CD147 mediates transforming growth factor-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process in which epithelial cells attain the motile and invasive characteristics of mesenchymal cells, which results in the development of increased migratory and invasive cell behavior, serving as a vital mechanism of cancer progression. Hence, controlling the EMT for cancer treatment, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is imperative. Among EMT-associated factors, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a well-established potent inducer. Recent research has revealed that CD147, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, promotes the EMT. However, the role of CD147 in the EMT and the following tumorigenicity in HNSCC has not been completely elucidated. This study aims to investigate the role of CD147 in the EMT and related tumorigenicity in HNSCC. The present study used two HNSCC cell lines, SAS and FaDu, for in vitro studies. In HNSCC cells, TGF-β1 induced spindle-shaped morphological changes, and western blot analysis revealed that TGF-β1 induced changes in EMT markers, downregulation of vimentin, and upregulation of E-cadherin, yet increased CD147. In addition, TGF-β1 increased cell migration in HNSCC cells. However, a TGF-β1-induced alteration in EMT makers was attenuated with CD147 silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in SAS cells. In addition, the TGF-β1-induced cell invasion of SAS was attenuated with CD147 silencing. In conclusion, the present study suggests that CD147 mediates TGF-β1-induced EMT and tumorigenicity in HNSCC. Hence, CD147 may serve as a vital therapeutic target in HNSCC.