P0053 Protease-activated receptor-2 in regulation of proliferation and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Background On the basis of our previous findings that protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) regulates haemophagocytosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, which induce haem oxygenase-1-dependent keratinisation, we hypothesised that PAR-2 participates in additional activities of SCC cells. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by investigating immunohistochemical profiles of PAR-2 in oral SCC tissues and its functional roles in cell proliferation and invasion of SCC cells in vitro . Methods PAR-2 expression was recorded in 48 surgical tissue specimens of oral SCC. Using cell systems derived from oral SCC, we established both gene and protein expression levels of PAR-2. We also assessed cell proliferation and invasive properties of SCC in conditions in which PAR-2 was activated by the synthetic peptide SLIGRL. Findings PAR-2 was immunolocalised in oral SCC and carcinoma in situ cells, especially in those cells on the periphery of carcinoma cell foci, but not in healthy oral epithelia. We reported expression of PAR-2 at both gene and protein levels in three oral SCC cell types. Activation of PAR-2 induced ZK1 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Cells activated by PAR-2 invaded faster than did those not activated. Interpretation Expression of PAR-2 is specific to oral malignancies and PAR-2 regulates the growth and invasion of oral SCC cells.