[Effect of oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts on extracellular signal-regulated kinases pathway in the lingual carcinoma cell line].

Objective: To investigate the effects of oral carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway in a lingual carcinoma cell line.

Methods: The lingual carcinoma cell line, Tca8113 was stimulated by conditioned medium from oral CAFs, or cocultured with oral CAFs for definite time. Total ERK and pERK in Tca8113 lysate were detected by Western blotting, and the ratio between pERK and ERK were calculated.

Results: Both stimulation by conditioned medium and coculture induced prompt phosphorylation of ERK, and increased the ratio between pERK and ERK.

Conclusion: Oral CAFs can activate ERK pathway of carcinoma cells.