Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors enhance susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Molecular inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is a promising cancer treatment strategy. We examined whether inhibition of EGFR signaling would affect the susceptibility of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Treatment of OSCC cells with an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, C225, and an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478, which target the extracellular and intracellular domains of the receptor, respectively, inhibited phosphorylation of EGFR and its downstream effector molecule Akt and amplified the induction of Fas-mediated apoptosis.

Effect of combining epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and cisplatin on proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to be involved in the proliferation and metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), suggesting that the EGF receptor (EGFR) must also contribute to SCC development. In combination with conventional anti-cancer drugs, agents that block EGFR may represent an efficient means of inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in SCC cells. We investigated the effects of combining an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (C225) or an EGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (AG1478) with the conventional anti-cancer drug cisplatin on the oral SCC (OSCC) cell lines NA and Ca9-22.

Enhanced susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-mediated apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells treated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors.

In general, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells are relatively resistant to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis during culture in vitro. Here, we studied the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K)/Akt in survival and apoptosis of these cells. The PI 3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 markedly suppressed phosphorylation of Akt and accelerated TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in OSCC cells.

Thalidomide suppresses melanoma growth by activating natural killer cells in mice.

Although thalidomide (Thd) is being extensively investigated for its effects on cytokine production and T cell costimulation, it is poorly understood whether it is capable of modulating the activities of natural killer (NK) cells. In this study, Thd effects on NK cell activity were examined with a murine model of melanoma, which is mostly rejected by NK cell-dependent mechanism. Administration of Thd significantly (p<0.

Alveolar bone graft for patients with cleft lip/palate using bone particles and titanium mesh: A quantitative study.

Purpose: This study evaluated the bone volume, height, and width that can be obtained in alveolar ridge augmentation using titanium mesh and autogenous bone particles in patients with cleft lip/palate.

Patients And Methods: Subjects were 15 patients with cleft lip/palate requiring tertiary bone graft for implant therapy. Computed tomography (CT) scans were taken before removing the mesh, from 1 to 21 months after bone grafting.

Enhancement of susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor.

In general, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells are relatively resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis during in vitro culture. Here, we studied the role of survival/apoptosis associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K)/Akt in this process. We found that both PI 3-K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, markedly suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt and accelerated Fas-mediated apoptosis in OSCC cells.

Gene expression profiles of oral leukoplakia and carcinoma: genome-wide comparison analysis using oligonucleotide microarray technology.

Although leukoplakia is the most common precancerous lesion of the oral cavity, its molecular biological properties are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the genes responsible for its pathogenesis and malignant transformation using oligonucleotide microarray technology. The expression profiles of 8,800 genes in human oral leukoplakia (n=4) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (n=2) were analyzed using the Affymetrix GeneChip system and the results were confirmed with RT-PCR.

Accelerative effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on Fas-mediated apoptosis in human neutrophils.

Inflammatory stimuli, such as cytokines, can induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in neutrophils. Selective, anti-inflammatory COX-2 inhibitors have been developed for patients with acute inflammatory diseases. Recent work has shown that selective COX-2 inhibitors interfere with tumor cell growth.

Regulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis in neutrophils after surgery-induced acute inflammation.

Background: Neutrophils undergo rapid Fas-mediated apoptosis during in vitro culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of surgical stress upon the Fas-mediated apoptotic response in circulating neutrophils.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were drawn from eight patients with a mandibular prognathism, and who had undergone a bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, at 2 days before, and at 1 and 5 days after surgery.

Modulation of neutrophil apoptosis in plasma of patients after orthognathic surgery.

Background: Human neutrophils undergo rapid apoptosis during in vitro culture. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin-8 (IL-8) on neutrophil apoptosis in surgery-induced inflammation.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples were drawn from 21 patients with mandibular prognathism 2 days before, and 1 and 5 days after orthognathic surgery.

Enhancement of susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells through down-regulation of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors.

Promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis. The signaling pathway for Fas-mediated apoptosis in various cells, including HL-60 cells, is currently unknown. Here, we studied the role of survival/apoptosis associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K)/Akt in this process.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 suppresses invasiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and CD44.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in tumors is known to be associated with enhanced angiogenesis, suppression of host immunity, and tumor invasion. In the present study, human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines NA and HSC-4 were used to evaluate the effects of NS-398, a selective inhibitor of COX-2, and COX-2 antisense oligonucleotide (COX-2 AS) on the invasion activity of OSCC cells. Matrigel invasion assay revealed that the invasiveness of NA and HSC-4 was suppressed by treatment with either NS-398 or COX-2 AS.

Clinical evaluation of circulating interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels after surgery-induced inflammation.

Background: It was previously reported that both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are elevated in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Cytokine-mediated systemic neutrophil activation is a direct consequence of SIRS, and can lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This prospective study assessed the risk of SIRS and MODS after orthognathic surgery by measuring the circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-10 as well as the neutrophil functions as a marker of organ failure.

Multiple granulomatous inflammation in the minor salivary glands: a proposed new entity, allergic granulomatous sialadenitis.

We report a patient who presented with multiple small submucosal nodules with granulomatous inflammation in the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. A 43-year-old woman presented with a 1-week history of multiple small submucosal nodules in her oral cavity after having taken medicine for abdominal pain. The patient did not have a history of fever, rectal bleeding, skin lesions or arthritis, but did have a history of drug allergy and bronchial asthma.

RETRACTED: A human chondrogenic cell line retains multi-potency that differentiates into osteoblasts and adipocytes.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 promotes Indian hedgehog-mediated osteo-chondrogenic differentiation of a human chondrocytic cell line in vivo and in vitro.

We examined osteo-chondrogenic differentiation of a human chondrocytic cell line (USAC) by rhBMP-2 in vivo and in vitro. USAC was established from a transplanted tumor to athymic mouse derived from an osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible. USAC usually shows chondrocytic phenotypes in vivo and in vitro.

Effect of 5-fluorouracil on G1 phase cell cycle regulation in oral cancer cell lines.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been widely used for chemotherapy of head and neck cancer, and is known to affect the cell cycle and induce apoptotic death of cancer cells. However, the molecular actions of 5-FU on the cell cycle regulatory mechanism have not been fully explained. Herein we analyzed the effects of 5-FU on the expression of G1/S-related cell cycle regulators in oral cancer cell lines.

Suppressive effect of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor on cytokine release in human neutrophils.

To clarify whether a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor can affect various functions in human peripheral blood neutrophils. For this purpose, the effects of selective COX-2 inhibitors, NS-398 and nimesulide, on the expression of COX-2, PGE2 release and respiratory burst, degranulation and cytokine release in activated neutrophils were examined. Peripheral blood neutrophils were stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP; 100 nM) or opsonized zymosan (OZ; 200 microg/ml).

Age-related increases in LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production from cultured rat bone marrow cells.

Objective: To understand bone metabolism during senescence, we examined age-related change in nitric oxide (NO) production from bone marrow cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods: We evaluated the age-related change in the NO production and expression of iNOS protein and mRNA of LPS-stimulated bone marrow cells collected from the tibiae of young and retired female and young and retired male rats. In addition, we used flow cytometry to assess changes in the distribution of CD14, a cell surface receptor of LPS.

Enhanced susceptibility of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines to FAS-mediated apoptosis by cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.

Our study was conducted to investigate whether anticancer drugs, cisplatin (CDDP) and/or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), can modulate Fas-mediated apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. When OSCC cell lines, NA and HSC-4, were treated with CDDP and/or 5-FU, Fas and its mRNA expression on the plasma membrane were enhanced. An increase in caspase-3 and -8 activities was then observed by the addition of agonistic anti-Fas antibody, CH-11.

Comparison of the expression profile of metastasis-associated genes between primary and circulating cancer cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Tumor metastasis is a complex process involving several distinct steps such as escape from a primary tumor, dissemination through the circulation, lodgment in small vessels at distinct sites, penetration of the vessel wall and growth in the new site as a secondary tumor. To compare the expression profile of metastasis-associated genes between circulating cancer cells in peripheral blood and cells in the primary lesion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we employed a combination analysis of laser captured microdissection (LCM) and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) techniques for capturing primary and circulating cancer cells, respectively. Total RNAs were then extracted from each cell and mRNA expression of CK19, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -7, -9) and CD44, including its variant forms (CD44s, v6, v9), were analyzed by RT-PCR.

Adhesion of a chondrocytic cell line (USAC) to fibronectin and its regulation by proteoglycan.

Background: Chondrocytes produce various extracellular matrices during chondrogenesis. Fibronectin and proteoglycan are major extracellular matrix proteins in cartilage tissue, but the interactions between them are not clear.

Methods: Recently, we succeeded in establishing a cell line (USAC) with phenotypes of chondrocytes from a human osteogenic sarcoma of the mandible.