F. Nucleatum enhances oral squamous cell carcinoma proliferation via E-cadherin/β-Catenin pathway

Abstract

Background: Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is a microbial risk factor whose presence increases the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. However, whether it can promote the proliferation of OSCC cells remains unknown.

Methods: In this study, we investigated F. nucleatum effect on OSCC cell proliferation using in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results: Our results showed that F. nucleatum promoted OSCC cell proliferation, doubling the cell count after 72 h (CCK-8 assay). Cell cycle analysis revealed G2/M phase arrest. F. nucleatum interaction with CDH1 triggered phosphorylation, upregulating downstream protein β-catenin and activating cyclinD1 and Myc. Notably, F. nucleatum did not affect noncancerous cells, unrelated to CDH1 expression levels in CAL27 cells. Overexpression of phosphorylated CDH1 in 293T cells did not upregulate β-catenin and cycle-related genes. In vivo BALB/c nude experiments showed increased tumor volume and Ki-67 proliferation index after F. nucleatum intervention.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that F. nucleatum promotes OSCC cell proliferation through the CDH1/β-catenin pathway, advancing our understanding of its role in OSCC progression and highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.

Keywords: Fusobacterium nucleatum; CDH1(E-Cadherin); Cell cycle; Cell proliferation; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Phosphorylation; β-catenin.