Integrin alpha 6 as a stemness driver is a novel promising target for HPV (+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Although the incidence rates of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection have recently been on the rise, the underlying mechanism of its tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether HNSCC cells with high expression of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental cell research 2021-10, Vol.407 (2), p.112815-112815, Article 112815
Main Authors: An, Jin Seol, Moon, Jung Hwa, Kim, Chayeon, No, Joo Kyung, Eun, Young Gyu, Chang Lim, Young
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Cancer stem cell
CARCINOMAS
GENES
HEAD
Head and neck cancer
HPV
ITGα6
NECK
PATIENTS
PHENOTYPE
RECEPTORS
STEM CELLS
Therapeutic target
VIRUSES
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Summary:Although the incidence rates of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection have recently been on the rise, the underlying mechanism of its tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether HNSCC cells with high expression of integrin alpha 6 (ITGα6), one of the HPV receptors, have a preference during HPV infection. In addition, we examined the gain or loss of function of the ITGα6 gene in HPV + ve HNSCC cells, as well as its prognostic value in patients with HNSCC. HPV pseudovirus was found to be more infective, with HNSCC cells featuring an overexpressed ITGα6 gene compared to the control cells. Overexpression and suppression of ITGα6 respectively increases and decreases stemness phenotypes of HPV + ve HNSCC cells. Furthermore, ITGα6 can regulate stemness by partially mediating AKT pathway in HPV + ve HNSCC cells. Finally, patients with HPV + ve HNSCC had a poor prognosis in cases of elevated ITGα6 expression; however, the expression levels of ITGα6 did not influence the survival rates of HPV-negative HNSCC patients. In conclusion, ITGα6 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for HPV + ve HNSCC cancer-like stem cells (CSCs).
ISSN:0014-4827
1090-2422
DOI:10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112815