Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Induces PD-L1 Expression and an Invasive Phenotype of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is related to the prognosis of many solid malignancies, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but the mechanism of PD-L1 induction remains obscure. In this study, we examined the expression of PD-L1 and partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in OSCC. METHODS: The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizing LPS in OSCC cell lines was analyzed. Moreover, the induction of PD-L1 expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) or Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS and EMT was analyzed by western blotting and RT-PCR. Morphology, proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities were examined upon addition of LPS. PD-L1 within EXOs was examined. RESULTS: PD-L1 expression and pEMT induced by LPS of P.g or E. coli in TLR4-expressing OSCC cell lines were observed. Addition of LPS did not change migration, proliferation, or cell morphology, but increased invasive ability. Moreover, higher expression of PD-L1 was observed in OSCC EXOs with LPS. CONCLUSION: Oral bacterial LPS is involved in enhanced invasive potential in OSCC cells, causing PD-L1 expression and induction of pEMT. The enhancement of PD-L1 expression after addition of LPS may be mediated by EXOs.

Usefulness of quantitative bone SPECT/CT for evaluating medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw treatment response.

OBJECTIVE: For assessment of therapeutic response in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) cases, the clinical usefulness of quantitative bone single-photon computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT/CT) results was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients (18 lesions) with a clinical diagnosis of MRONJ underwent bone SPECT/CT scanning before and during/after anti-inflammatory therapy given for 3 or more months. The GI-BONE software package was used to determine standard uptake values (SUVs), including maximum (SUVmax), peak (SUVpeak), and mean (SUVmean), and metabolic bone volume (MBV) and also total bone uptake (TBU). In both responders (downstage) and non-responders (upstage or no change), differences in quantitative values between the first and second SPECT/CT examinations were analyzed using a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Following therapy, significant reductions in SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, MBV and TBU values for 11 lesions were noted in the responders after therapy (p = 0.003, p = 0.006, p = 0.004, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively). On the other hand, those for the seven lesions in the non-responder group were not significantly different (p = 0.17, p = 0.16, p = 0.26, p = 0.96, and p = 0.12, respectively). Results for SUVmax change showed sensitivity and specificity values of 45.5% and 85.7%, respectively, for differentiating responders from non-responders, with - 37.3% the optimal cutoff value. Those for MBV change were 72.7 and 85.7%, respectively, with - 29.4% the optimal cutoff value. Those for TBU change were 81.8% and 85.7%, respectively, with - 36.3% the optimal cutoff value. CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that therapeutic response in MRONJ cases could be determined by use of quantitative SUV, MBV, and TBU values based on bone SPECT/CT findings.

Establishment of an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line expressing vascular endothelial growth factor a and its two receptors.

Background/purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) promotes tumor growth through both autocrine and paracrine signaling. VEGF-positive OSCC cases are associated with a high depth of invasion, increased metastasis, and poor prognosis. In this study we established and then molecularly and functionally analyzed an OSCC cell line that co-expresses VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2, termed HCM-SqCC010 cells. Materials and methods: VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 expression in HCM-SqCC010 cells were examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Expression and inhibition of VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 in HCM-SqCC010 cells were verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Our analysis of HCM-SqCC010 cells revealed that their proliferation depended on VEGF-A, and selective inhibition of VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2 resulted in decreased cell growth. Conclusion: We established an OSCC cell line, HCM-SqCC010, that expresses VEGF-A, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2. This triple-positive cell line showed no effect from a molecular targeted drug toward VEGF-A, but it did show strong cell growth inhibition in response to a VEGFR inhibitor. Thus, new therapeutic strategies against OSCC should include a VEGFR inhibitor.

Establishment of a patient-derived mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line with the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion gene.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant tumor of the major and minor salivary glands. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment and there is no effective post-operative therapy for MEC. The present study reports an Institutional Review Board-approved case of a 45-year-old Japanese female diagnosed with low-grade MEC in the hard palate. Radical resection, supraomohyoid neck dissection and antero-lateral thigh flap reconstruction was performed. A MEC cell line was then established from the resected tumor tissue. Short tandem repeat profiling confirmed the origin and authenticity of the cell line, that harbors a CRTC1-MAML2 translocation, which is frequently observed in MEC. Amphiregulin (AREG), identified as one of the targets of the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion gene, was expressed in the cell line. The AREG receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was also highly phosphorylated. The results predicted that AREG-EGFR signaling, which is required for tumor growth and survival, might be activated in the cell line in a cell-autonomous manner. As AREG expression is associated with EGFR-targeted drug resistance, this cell line might assist with the identification of novel strategies for MEC treatment.

Usefulness of quantitative bone SPECT/CT for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in clinical settings.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the clinical utility of quantitative bone single-photon computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT/CT) for detection and classification for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (69 lesions) clinically diagnosed as MRONJ by four specialists of Japanese Society of Oral Surgery according to the AAOMS diagnostic criteria and who underwent bone SPECT/CT were enrolled. One reader determined standard uptake values (SUVs), including maximum (SUVmax), peak (SUVpeak), and mean (SUVmean), as well as metabolic bone volume (MBV), representing total volume above threshold, and total bone uptake (TBU), calculated as MBV × SUVmean, using the GI-BONE software package. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and subsequent post hoc analysis were employed to compare quantitative values between clinical stages. To check reproducibility of values, another reader calculated these quantitative values. RESULTS: Mean SUVmax values for stage 0 (n = 21), 1 (n = 13), 2 (n = 25), and 3 (n = 10) were 5.82 ± 3.20, 5.46 ± 3.79, 8.16 ± 3.93, and 10.57 ± 8.43, respectively, while values for MBV were 9.52 ± 6.33, 11.36 ± 7.32, 12.4 ± 8.21, and 17.84 ± 16.94, respectively, and for TBU were 40.60 ± 46.97, 53.70 ± 77.26, 62.37 ± 42.91, and 102.01 ± 74.52, respectively. There were significant differences for SUVmax, SUVpeak, and SUVmean between clinical stages (p = 0.024, p = 0.027, p = 0.039, respectively). Subsequent post hoc analysis showed that SUVmax and SUVpeak of stage 3 were significantly higher than those of stage 0 (p = 0.046, 0.045, respectively). MBV and TBU showed a tendency to increase with increased stage, though differences between stages were not significant (p = 0.15, p = 0.053, respectively). Little differences of mean SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, MBV, and TBU between two readers were observed (- 3.10%, - 0.26%, - 4.24%%, 0.69%, and - 3.42%, respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of SUVmax, SUVpeak, SUVmean, MBV, and TBU were 0.985, 0.990, 0.980, 0.994, and 0.994, respectively (almost perfect for all values). CONCLUSION: As objective and reliable indicators, SUVmax and SUVpeak derived from quantitative bone SPECT/CT results are useful for detection of early status disease, as well as staging in MRONJ patients.

Association among social-networking service usage via smartphone, internet addiction, and psychological stress in Japanese physical therapy university students: a single-university cross-sectional study.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the influence of social-networking service usage via smartphone on internet addiction and psychological stress in Japanese university students studying physical therapy. [Participants and Methods] This single-university cross-sectional study involved 247 physical therapy students in the second to fourth years (ages 19 to 22). By use of self-administered questionnaires, we collected information on daily time of smartphone usage, social-networking service usage via smartphone, and daily self-learning time outside of class hours. We assessed internet addiction and psychological stress using the Internet Addiction Test and Stress Response Scale-18, respectively. After excluding twelve participants, we analyzed the data collected for the other 235. [Results] Multiple regression analysis showed an association of the Internet Addiction Test score with gender and daily time of smartphone usage. "Surfing without any purpose", which is one of the purposes of social-networking service usage, and the Internet Addiction Test score were associated with the Stress Response Scale-18 score. Other variables were not associated with the Internet Addiction Test or Stress Response Scale-18 scores. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that gender (males), longer time of smartphones usage, or using social-networking service usage passively cause internet addiction or psychological stress in Japanese physical therapy university students.

Molecular analysis of keratocystic odontogenic tumor cell lines derived from sporadic and basal cell nevus syndrome patients.

Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign tumor often associated with basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS). Mutations in Patched 1 (PTCH1), the Hedgehog (Hh) receptor, are responsible for BCNS. BCNS is distinguished by morphological anomalies and predisposition to benign and malignant tumors, including medulloblastoma, basal cell carcinoma, KCOT and ovarian fibromas. Among these tumors, KCOT is the least well studied because a suitable model system is not available for its investigation. To enable KCOT to be studied, we established two KCOT cell lines, one from a BCNS case (designated as iKCOT1) and one from a sporadic KCOT case (designated as sKCOT1). The BCNS­derived KCOT cell line, iKCOT1, retained a germline-mutated PTCH1 allele and a wild-type PTCH1 allele. The sporadic KCOT-derived KCOT cell line, sKCOT1, had different loss-of-function PTCH1 mutations on both alleles. Both cell lines expressed stem cell markers (CD44, SOX2 and BMI1), mesenchymal cell markers (CDH2, VIM and SNAI2) and a neurogenic marker (NEFL). Culture of the cell lines in high calcium concentration media induced expression of epithelial cell and keratinocyte marker proteins (CDH1, CLDN1, KRT10 and IVL). Parakeratosis, which is characteristic for KCOTs, was observed in 2-D cultures. The similarities in protein expression patterns between the two cell lines suggested that common mechanisms underlie the development of both types of KCOT and a probable common origin of KCOT cells.

[Oral management for perioperative patients.]

During perioperative period, several oral-related complications happen to occur, including not only postoperative pneumonia and surgical site infection, but also damage to teeth. Furthermore, in case of surgeries where the materials such as prosthetic valves and artificial joints are installed inside the body, there is a potential risk of developing foreign material infections due to bacteremia from the oral cavity as the periodontitis remains there. There is a possibility that a necessary treatment during perioperative period is not performed with only the oral cleaning which is narrowly defined as oral care, without an assessment of potential problems for oral. The oral-related perioperative complications can be prevented by putting the oral management into practice, which include a necessary dental treatment, rehabilitation for mastication and swallowing, and education of patients and medical staff, based on accurate oral assessment.

The Hippo pathway transcriptional co-activator, YAP, confers resistance to cisplatin in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is widely used to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), however, many patients exhibit acquired drug resistance. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a transcriptional co-activator of the Hippo pathway that regulates organ size and promotes cell proliferation. YAP overexpression correlates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and nodal metastasis, resulting in anti-tubulin drug resistance. Whether YAP overexpression is the cause of CDDP resistance in cancer cells is unclear, therefore, we investigated the correlation between YAP expression and CDDP sensitivity. We established three CDDP-resistant cell lines (OSC-19-R, SCCKN-R and HSC-3-R) from the OSCC parental cell lines. We also examined the expression levels of ATP7B, GST-π and ERCC1, which are strongly associated with CDDP resistance, and Hippo pathway-related proteins by western blotting. Using immunocytochemistry, we examined the cellular localization of YAP. Additionally, following knockdown of YAP using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), we analyzed changes in sensitivity to CDDP. Compared with parental OSC-19 cells, OSC-19-R cells were obviously larger. Expression levels of YAP were not significantly different between OSC-19 and OSC-19-R. However, expression levels of phosphorylated YAP in OSC-19-R were decreased. We observed translocation of YAP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in OSC-19-R cells. Knockdown of YAP using siRNAs revealed that sensitivity to CDDP was significantly increased. Translocation of YAP correlated with the acquisition of CDDP resistance. YAP could be a new therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with cancer that are resistant to CDDP.

Involvement of oncogenic K-ras on cell migration stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid receptor-2 in pancreatic cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediates a variety of cellular responses with atleast six G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors (LPA receptor-1 (LPA(1)-LPA(6))). The interaction between LPA receptors and other cellular molecules on the biological function is not fully understood. Recently, we have reported that LPA(1) suppressed and LPA(3) stimulated cell migration of pancreatic cancer cells. In the present study, to evaluate the function of LPA(2) on motile and invasive activities of pancreatic cancer cells, we generated Lpar2 knockdown (HPD-sh2) cells from hamster pancreatic cancer cells and measured their cell migration ability. In cell motility and invasive assays with an uncoated Cell Culture Insert, HPD-sh2 cells showed significantly lower intrinsic activity than control (HPD-GFP) cells. Since K-ras mutations were frequently detected in pancreatic cancer, we next investigated whether oncogenic K-ras is involved in cell migration induced by LPA(2) using K-ras knockdown (HPD-K2) cells. The cell motile ability of HPD-K2 cells was significantly lower than that of control cells. To confirm LPA(2) increases cell migration activity, cells were pretreated with dioctylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) which is the antagonist of LPA(1)/LPA(3). The cell motile and invasive abilities of DGPP -treated HPD-GFP cells were markedly higher than those of untreated cells, but DGPP did not stimulate cell migration of HPD-K2 cells. These results suggest that cell migration activity of pancreatic cancer cells stimulated by LPA(2) may be enhanced by oncogenic K-ras.

Loss of lysophosphatidic acid receptor-3 suppresses cell migration activity of human sarcoma cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) interacts with at least six G protein-coupled transmembrane LPA receptors (LPA(1)-LPA(6)). Recently, we have reported that LPA(3) indicated opposite effects on cell migration, depending on the cell types. In the present study, to assess an involvement of LPA(3) on cell migration of sarcoma cells, we generated LPA receptor-3 (LPAR3)-knockdown (HT1080-sh3 and HOS-sh3, respectively) cells from fibrosarcoma HT1080 and osteosarcoma HOS cells, and measured their cell migration abilities. In cell motility assay with a Cell Culture Insert, both LPAR3-knockdown cells showed significantly lower cell motile activities than control cells. Next, to investigate the effect of LPAR3-knockdown on invasion activity, which degraded the extracellular matrices, the Matrigel-coated filter was used. HT1080-sh3 cells showed significantly low invasive activity compared with control cells, while no invasive activity was found in HOS-sh3 cells. In gelatin zymography, no significant difference of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities were detected in all cells. The results indicated that LPA(3) acts as a positive regulator of cell motility and invasion in sarcoma cells, suggesting that LPA signaling pathway via LPA(3) may be involved in the progression of sarcoma cells.

Negative regulation of cell motile and invasive activities by lysophosphatidic acid receptor-3 in colon cancer HCT116 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediates a wide range of biological responses with G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors (LPA receptors). So far, at least six types of LPA receptors (LPA receptor-1 (LPA(1)) to LPA(6)) have been identified. Recently, it has been reported that LPA(3) indicates opposite effects on cellular functions of cancer cells. In the present study, to assess a biological role of LPA(3) on cell migration ability of colon cancer cells, we generated LPA receptor-3 (LPAR3) knockdown (HCT-sh3-3) cells from HCT116 and measured cell motile and invasion activities. In motility assay with a cell culture insert, HCT-sh3-3 cells showed significantly high cell motile activity, compared with control cells. For invasion assay, the filter was coated with Matrigel. The invasive activity of HCT-sh3-3 cells was significantly higher than that of control cells. Furthermore, we also examined the effects of LPAR3 knockdown on the interaction between colon cancer cells and endothelial F-2 cells. When F-2 cells were cultured with serum-free DMEM containing a supernatant from HCT-sh3-3 cells, the cell growth rate and migration activity of F-2 cells were significantly stimulated, associating with the elevated expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and VEGF-C genes in HCT-sh3-3 cells. These results suggest that LPA(3) may act as a negative regulator on cell motile and invasive abilities of colon cancer HCT116 cells.

Opposite roles of LPA1 and LPA3 on cell motile and invasive activities of pancreatic cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) interacts with at least six G protein-coupled transmembrane LPA receptors. Recently, it has been demonstrated that each LPA receptor acts as a positive or negative regulator of cellular function. In the present study, to assess a biological role of LPA receptors on cell migration of pancreatic cancer cells, we generated LPA receptor-1 (LPA(1)) and LPA(3) knockdown cells from hamster pancreatic cancer cells by transfection with short hairpin RNA plasmids and measured their cell motile and invasive abilities. In cell motility and invasion assay, a Cell Culture Insert, coated with or without a Matrigel, was used. While the cell motility and invasion of Lpar1 knockdown cells were markedly enhanced than those of control cells, Lpar3 knockdown cells showed significantly lower cell motility and invasion. Moreover, to investigate an involvement of LPA(1) and LPA(3) in the development of pancreatic cancers, we also measured the expression levels of Lpar1 and Lpar3 genes in hamster pancreatic duct adenocarcinomas (PDAs) induced by a nitroso compound. The expressions of Lpar1 gene in PDAs were significantly lower than those in normal pancreatic tissues. By contrast, the elevated expressions of Lpar3 gene were detected in PDAs. We thus demonstrate that LPA(1) and LPA(3) play the different roles on cell migration ability of pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting the opposite effects via LPA(1) and LPA(3) may contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancers in hamsters.

Different effects on cell proliferation and migration abilities of endothelial cells by LPA1 and LPA3 in mammary tumor FM3A cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors belong to G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors and mediate a variety of cellular responses through the binding of LPA. So far, six types of LPA receptors (LPA receptor-1 (LPA1) to LPA6) have been identified. Recently, it has been demonstrated that each LPA receptor has opposite effects on malignant property of cancer cells. In this study, to evaluate an involvement of LPA receptors on angiogenic process in mammary tumor cells, we generated Lpar1- and Lpar3-expressing (FM3A-a1 and FM3A-a3A9, respectively) cells from FM3A cells, and investigated the effects on cell proliferation and migration abilities of endothelial F-2 cells by those cells. In Vegf-A and Vegf-C genes, FM3A-a1 cells indicated high expression and FM3A-a3A9 cells showed low expression, compared with control cells. When F-2 cells were cultured with a supernatant from FM3A-a1 cells, the cell growth rate and migration ability of F-2 cells was significantly higher than control cells. By contrast, a supernatant from FM3A-a3A9 cells significantly inhibited those abilities of F-2 cells. These results suggest that LPA1 and LPA3 may play opposite roles on the regulation of endothelial cells in mouse mammary tumor FM3A cells.

Enhancement of endothelial cell migration by constitutively active LPA(1)-expressing tumor cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors belong to G protein-coupled transmembrane receptors (LPA receptors; LPA(1) to LPA(6)). They indicate a variety of cellular response by the interaction with LPA, including cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Recently, we have reported that constitutive active mutated LPA(1) induced the strong biological effects of rat neuroblastoma B103 cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of mutated LPA(1) on the interaction between B103 cells and endothelial F-2 cells. Each LPA receptor expressing B103 cells were maintained in serum-free DMEM and cell motility assay was performed with a Cell Culture Insert. When F-2 cells were cultured with conditioned medium from Lpar1 and Lpar3-expressing cells, the cell motility of F-2 cells was significantly higher than control cells. Interestingly, the motile activity of F-2 cells was strongly induced by mutated LPA(1) than other cells, correlating with the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf)-A and Vegf-C. Pretreatment of LPA signaling inhibitors inhibited F-2 cell motility stimulated by mutated LPA(1). These results suggest that activation of LPA signaling via mutated LPA(1) may play an important role in the promotion of angiogenesis in rat neuroblastoma cells.

Size-controlled submicrometer hollow spheres constituted of ZnO nanoplates from layered zinc hydroxide.

A layered zinc compound is afforded by the heating of zinc acetate dihydrate with mandelic acid in dibenzyl ether. Thermolysis of the layered compound results in the formation of hollow spheres constructed from plate-like ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) in high yield. Size-controlled hollow spheres with a 690 nm diameter (size variation = 6.0%) are obtained by thermal treatment at 300 degrees C for 15 h. In this reaction, the mandelate moiety plays important roles not only in morphology control of ZnO NCs but also for the formation of hollow structures constituted of ZnO nanoplates.