Expression of β2-adrenergic receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: It has been speculated that chemokines and neurotransmitters might be involved in the organ-specific development of metastases because cancer metastasis is similar to the regulation of migratory activity in leukocytes. Here, we aimed to examine the expression of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to investigate its correlation with tumor development and metastasis. Methods: Expression of β2-AR was examined in 65 cases of OSCC specimens, 10 cases of normal oral mucosa, and two cell lines using immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR. The differences in β2-AR expression between various groups were evaluated using SPSS 13.0 Statistical Software. Cell proliferation assays were assayed by β-adrenergic receptors agonists (norepinephrine) and antagonists (propranolol). Norepinephrine-mediated cell migration was assayed in Matrigel-coated chemotaxis chamber. Results: β2-AR was highly expressed on OSCC compared to normal controls. In OSCC, positive β2-AR expression was significantly correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.001), age ( P = 0.003), tumor size ( P = 0.001) and clinical stage ( P = 0.001), but not with gender. RT-PCR and Western blot also confirmed positive β2-AR expression in OSCC and TCa8113 cell line, and negative β2-AR expression in normal oral mucosa and ACC cell line. β-adrenoreceptor agonist (norepinephrine) was a potent mitogen for TCa8113 and ACC cell lines, and completely inhibited by the selective antagonist of β-adrenergic receptors (propranolol). Norepinephrine induced migratory activity of OSCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:  Increased expression of β2-AR may play an important role in the formation and metastasis of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]