ΔNp63 isoform-mediated β-defensin family up-regulation is associated with (lymph)angiogenesis and poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma

Oncotarget. 2014 Apr 15;5(7):1856-68. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.1819.

Abstract

Beside a role in normal development/differentiation, high p63 immunoreactivity is also frequently observed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Due to the complexity of the gene, the role of each p63 isotype in tumorigenesis is still confusing. Constitutively produced or induced in inflammatory conditions, human beta-defensins (HβDs) are cationic peptides involved in host defenses against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Here, we investigated both the role of p63 proteins in the regulation of HβDs and the implication of these antimicrobial peptides in tumor (lymph)angiogenesis. Thus, in contrast to TAp63 isotypes, we observed that ΔNp63 proteins (α, β, γ) induce HβD1, 2 and 4 expression. Similar results were observed in cancer tissues and cell lines. We next demonstrated that ΔNp63-overexpressing SCC are associated with both a poor prognosis and a high tumor vascularisation and lymphangiogenesis. Moreover, we showed that HβDs exert a chemotactic activity for (lymphatic) endothelial cells in a CCR6-dependent manner. The ability of HβDs to enhance (lymph)angiogenesis in vivo was also evaluated. We observed that HβDs increase the vessel number and induce a significant increase in relative vascular area compared to negative control. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that ΔNp63-regulated HβD could promote tumor (lymph)angiogenesis in SCC microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemotaxis
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes
  • Lymphangiogenesis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR6 / metabolism
  • Survival Rate
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • beta-Defensins / analysis
  • beta-Defensins / genetics*
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism

Substances

  • CCR6 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • TP63 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • beta-Defensins