Ethanol induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of ethanol on cell migration and motility in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell lines and investigate its potential mechanisms. Methods Two TSCC cell lines SCC9 and SCC15 were cultured with DMEM/F12 medium and treated with or without ethanol. Cell morphology and growth patterns were observed under the light microscope. Wound healing and transwell assay were performed to determine the ability of migration and invasion. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin. Data were analyzed by Chi square test using SPSS 19.0 statistical software, and the protein level of E-cadherin and Vimentin were evaluated by One-Way ANOVA. Results SCC9 and SCC15 cells presented with cobblestone-like pattern and an apical-basal polarity, whereas, both of them demonstrated a dispersed, spindle-shaped morphology with migratory protrusions after treated with ethanol. In wounding healing assay, the cell motility of SCC9 and SCC15 cells was enhanced significantly after alcohol treatment (χ2SCC9, 24 h=15.668, PSCC9, 24 h= 0.001; χ2SCC15, 24 h=4.703, PSCC15, 24 h=0.028; χ2SCC9, 48 h=3.391, PSCC9, 48 h=0.042; χ2SCC15, 48 h = 2.386, PSCC15, 48 h= 0.136) , while in transwell assay, the relative invasion rate was 384.24% (χ2= 26.917, P<0.001) in SCC9 compared to 428.49% (χ2= 32.880, P<0.001) in SCC15, which confirmed that invasion ability was significantly increased in SCC9 and SCC15 cells treated with ethanol. Moreover, E-cadherin expression was decreased (F= 131.533, PSCC9<0.001, PSCC15= 0.001) , but Vimentin expression was increased (F= 355.388, PSCC9<0.001, PSCC15<0.001) after administration of ethanol. Conclusion Ethanol could induce epithelial mesenchymal transition and promote migration and invasion in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Key words: Tongue; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Ethanol; Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; E-cadherin