Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that matrix stiffness plays a critical role in affecting the phenotype and behavior of tumor cells. We report that matrix stiffness significantly regulated the proliferation and chemotherapeutic response of Hep-2 cells. Increasing substrate stiffness promotes the proliferation of Hep-2 cells. When cultured on soft gels, Hep-2 cells expressed higher level of stem cell markers. Following treatment with cisplatin or 5-FU, we observed reduced apoptosis in Hep-2 cells cultured on soft supports. Sox2 is essential for the chemoresistance of Hep-2 cells cultured in soft stiffness. Our results demonstrated that Sox2 promotes chemoresistance of Hep-2 cells in soft stiffness via upregulating the expression of ABCG2. Our findings will provide a new platform for the future design of anticancer drugs based on the biophysical properties of the tumor site.
MeSH terms
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2 / metabolism*
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Acrylic Resins / chemistry
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Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
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Apoptosis / drug effects
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / physiopathology*
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Cell Culture Techniques / methods
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Proliferation*
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Cisplatin / pharmacology
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Collagen / chemistry
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Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
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Fluorouracil / pharmacology
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / physiopathology*
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Humans
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Laryngeal Neoplasms / physiopathology*
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Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
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SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism*
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
Substances
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ABCG2 protein, human
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2
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Acrylic Resins
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Neoplasm Proteins
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SOX2 protein, human
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SOXB1 Transcription Factors
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polyacrylamide gels
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Collagen
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Cisplatin
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Fluorouracil