Motility-related protein-1/CD9 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

✍ Scribed by Boban M. Erovic; Johannes Pammer; David Hollemann; Markus Woegerbauer; Silvana Geleff; Michael B. Fischer; Martin Burian; Florian Frommlet; Csilla Neuchrist

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 387 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.10306

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Introduction.

Motility‐related protein (MRP)‐1/CD9 is implicated in cell adhesion and motility and was shown to be clearly involved in tumor prognosis and angiogenesis. Elevated MRP‐1/CD9 expression on tumor cells has been linked to a favorable prognosis in breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and HNSCC. Because MRP‐1/CD9 is associated with angiogenesis, it might play a role in tumor angiogenesis as well.

Methods.

We analyzed MRP‐1/CD9 expression in HNSCC specimens and cell lines by real‐time RT‐PCR and in HNSCC biopsy specimens and stromal vessels by immunohistochemistry. Kruskal Wallis and X^2^ test, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and Kaplan‐Meier methods were used for statistical analysis.

Results.

Real‐time and PCR RT showed elevated expression of MRP‐1/CD9 in one (SCC25) of four HNSCC cell lines and two of six HNSCC patients, whereas two cell lines (SCC9 and JPPA) and one HNSCC patient had lower MRP‐1/CD9 levels compared with other specimens. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong MRP‐1/CD9 IR expression on tumor cells in 13 patients (39%), whereas 21 patients (61%) had less to medium MRP‐1/CD9 IR expression. Increased MRP‐1/CD9 expression on tumor cells was correlated with prolonged patient survival (p = .02) and a longer disease‐free interval (p = .004), a diminished recurrence rate (p = .02), and lower stages of neck lymph nodes (p = .04). MRP‐1/CD9 IR was also found in a subpopulation of vessels that seem to be less in tumor specimens than in normal mucosa (p < .0001). MRP‐1/CD9+ vessels are podoplanin+ and are therefore regarded as lymphatic vessels.

Conclusions.

Our results revealed that elevated MRP‐1/CD9 expression on HNSCC is linked to a favorable clinical outcome and confirmed reports of MRP‐1/CD9 expression in other carcinomas. MRP‐1/CD9+ vessels were found to be lymphatic in nature. The number and staining intensity of these vessels is decreased in tumor tissue, which suggests a stabilizing role for this protein in lymphangiogenesis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 25: 848–857, 2003