Overexpression of the opioid growth factor receptor downregulates cell proliferation of human squamous carcinoma cells of the head and neck
The opioid growth factor (OGF) is a constitutively expressed negative growth regulator whose action is mediated by the OGF receptor (OGFr). The OGF-OGFr axis tonically regulates the growth of human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). To examine the repercussions of
amplifying OGFr in SCCHN, constructs were prepared to overexpress OGFr in SCC-1 cells; six clonal lines were examined. OGFr binding assays of clonal cells revealed a 2.4- to 8.4-fold increase in binding capacity compared to wild-type (WT) and empty vector (EV) controls; binding affinity was
comparable in all groups. OGFr protein expression, as measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, was increased in clonal cell lines compared to controls. Under standard growth conditions the cell number of the OGFr clonal lines was reduced by 11 to 68% from the WT
group, and doubling times were 7 to 67% longer. Addition of exogenous OGF further reduced (8 to 37%) cell growth of the clonal lines. Depletion of endogenous OGF with antibodies to this peptide increased growth 2-fold in cells amplifying OGFr relative to increases of 32 and 34% for the WT
and EV groups, respectively. DNA synthesis of cells overexpressing OGFr was reduced from the WT group by 46 to 75%. These data indicate that the OGF receptor is integral to cell replication of SCCHN, and support treatment modalities that amplify OGFr in order to decrease the growth of these
neoplasias.
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, H109, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA., Email: [email protected]
Publication date: 01 March 2007
- The International Journal of Molecular Medicine is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal devoted to the publication of high quality studies related to the molecular mechanisms of human disease. The journal welcomes research on all aspects of molecular and clinical research, ranging from biochemistry to immunology, pathology, genetics, human genomics, microbiology, molecular pathogenesis, molecular cardiology, molecular surgery and molecular psychology.
The International Journal of Molecular Medicine aims to provide an insight for researchers within the community in regard to developing molecular tools and identifying molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of a diverse number of human diseases. - Editorial Board
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