Regular Article

Transforming growth factor β1, urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression in head and neck squamous carcinoma and normal adjacent mucosa

  1. Fatima S. Pasini1,
  2. M. Mitzi Brentani PhD2,
  3. Luiz P. Kowalski MD, PhD3,
  4. Miriam H. H. Federico MD, PhD2,*

Article first published online: 8 AUG 2001

DOI: 10.1002/hed.1103

Issue

Head & Neck

Head & Neck

Volume 23, Issue 9, pages 725–732, September 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pasini, F. S., Brentani, M. M., Kowalski, L. P. and Federico, M. H. H. (2001), Transforming growth factor β1, urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression in head and neck squamous carcinoma and normal adjacent mucosa. Head Neck, 23: 725–732. doi: 10.1002/hed.1103

Author Information

  1. 1

    Laboratórios de Investigação Médica (LIM 24), Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP, São Paulo, Brazil

  2. 2

    Departamento de Radiologia-Disciplina de Oncologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455-4° andar- São Paulo- SP, Brazil

  3. 3

    Departamento de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço e Otorrinolaringologia, Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil

*Departamento de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço e Otorrinolaringologia, Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 AUG 2001
  2. Article first published online: 8 AUG 2001
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 22 JAN 2001

Funded by

  • PADCT. Grant Number: 620097/94

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Keywords:

  • head and neck squamous carcinoma;
  • transforming growth factor β1;
  • urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor PAI-1

Abstract

Background

A balance between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its main inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) appears to be important for cancer invasive behavior. Since uPA/PAI-1 system seems to be regulated by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in different cell types, our aim was to investigate the relationship between the expression of the three genes and lymph node status in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) at specific sites.

Materials and Methods

uPA, PAI-1, and TGFβ1 mRNAs were determined by Northern analysis in tumor, and paired normal mucosa samples were obtained from 91 operable HNSCC patients.

Results

In oral cavity, excluding tongue, TGFβ1, PAI-1, and uPA mRNAs values were consistently lower in the normal tissues than in tumors. In larynx tumors, TGFβ1 expression was increased, but no statistically significant differences were found for uPA or PAI-1 mRNAs as compared with normal tissues. Tongue tumors overexpressed only uPA mRNA, and uPA levels showed significant parallel variations with TGFβ1 and PAI-1 mRNAs mainly in pN+ tumors. In oral cavity tumors, an inverse correlation between TGFβ1 and uPA was observed in pN0 subgroup, elevated uPA mRNA was counterbalanced by high PAI-1 mRNA TGFβ1, and PAI-1 were not coordinately expressed. Correlations between the three markers were not found in larynx. Hypopharynx tumors, all staged as pN+, expressed the lowest TGFβ1 mRNA mean values.

Conclusions

Combined information about TGFβ1, uPA, and PAI-1 mRNAs may add some clues to the understanding of the pathophysiological role of uPA system in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 725–732, 2001.

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