ONCOmmunity

High Nitric Oxide Adaptation in Isogenic Primary and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Cells.

By: Kusumawadee Utispan, Sittichai Koontongkaew

Oral Biology Research Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathum Thani, Thailand kusumawadee.utipan@gmail.com.
2020-04-04; doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14236

Abstract

Background/aim

Nitric oxide (NO) functions have been studied in many cancer types, but rarely in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to investigate the behavior of HNSCC cells following exposure to high NO (HNO).

Materials

Two pairs of isogenic HNSCC cell lines (HN18/HN17, HN30/HN31) were used, and were treated with a NO donor for 72 h. Cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, and MMP activity were determined using MTT, flow cytometry, Matrigel invasion, and gelatinase zymography assays, respectively.

Results

HNO induced HN18 and HN31 cell cycle progression in S and G₂/M phases. Anti-invasion, MMP-2 inhibition, and apoptosis induction were observed in certain HNO-adapted cell lines. High NO did not affect MMP-9 activity in all cell lines.

Conclusion

NO enhanced cell cycle progression and apoptosis but inhibited cell invasion in HNSCC cells.