Abstract
PurposeDuring head and neck cancer treatment, the radiation response of the oral mucosa represents a frequent early side effect. Besides radiation-induced inhibition of proliferation, various other cellular responses occur. The radiation response of adherens and tight junction proteins was so far mostly investigated with large single-dose irradiation protocols, in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, the current study was initiated to investigate the impact of daily fractionated irradiation on the expression of adherens and tight junction proteins in vivo.Materials and methodsFractionation with 5 × 3 Gy/week (days 0–4, 7–11) was given to the snouts of mice. Groups of 5 animals per day were euthanized every second day between day 0 (unirradiated controls) and day 14, and their tongues subjected to histological processing. Adherens junction marker (β-catenin and E‑cadherin) and tight junction marker (claudin-1 and occludin) expression was analysed in the oral mucosa of unirradiated controls and during two weeks of fractionated irradiation.ResultsAdherens as well as tight junction marker proteins were rapidly and consistently upregulated in both the germinal as well as the functional layer of the oral mucosa. This represents a previously unknown parameter of the epithelial radiation response to clinically relevant fractionation protocols.ConclusionFractionated irradiation significantly enhanced the expression of all proteins investigated. This study revealed a new parameter of the epithelial radiation response to fractionated irradiation.
Highlights
The epithelial radiation response often represents a doselimiting early side effect, experienced by the majority of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients as confluent oral mucositis [1,2,3]
Approximately 85% of the germinal cells were positive for β-catenin and E-cadherin
With the onset of fractionation, the expression of both adherens junction marker proteins increased to levels between 94 and 98% within 2 days
Summary
The epithelial radiation response often represents a doselimiting early side effect, experienced by the majority of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients as confluent oral mucositis [1,2,3]. Oral mucositis is associated with severe pain, increased risk for local and systemic infections, and can necessitate unplanned treatment interruptions, negatively influencing tumour control probability. It has a major impact on the patient’s quality of life. No biology-based treatment strategy has been implemented into clinical routine so far [5]. This can be partly attributed to the fact that the exact molecular radiopathological mechanisms underlying oral mucositis are not yet fully understood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
