Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand induces cell adhesion and integrin α2 expression via NF-κB in head and neck cancers.

ABSTRACT: Cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix play critical roles in tumor progression. We previously reported that receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) specifically facilitates head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression in vivo. Here, we report a novel role for RANKL in the regulation of cell adhesion. Among the major type I collagen receptors, integrin α2 was significantly upregulated in RANKL-expressing cells, and its knockdown suppressed cell adhesion. The mRNA abundance of integrin α2 positively correlated with that of RANKL in human HNSCC tissues. We also revealed that RANK-NF-κB signaling mediated integrin α2 expression in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Interestingly, the amount of active integrin β1 on the cell surface was increased in RANKL-expressing ce

SUBMITTER: Yamada T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4806381 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature