Analysis of the molecular mechanism for collective invasion of squamous cell carcinoma by novel laminin fusion gene

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09840
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Koshikawa Naohiko 東京工業大学, 生命理工学院, 教授 (70334282)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ラミニン / 基底膜 / 扁平上皮細胞 / 上皮組織

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The laminin fusion gene was expressed in mouse tongue tissue by infection with AAV-Cre. As a result, the expression of the laminin fusion gene affects basal cell hyperproliferation and impaired the formation of the basement membrane factor, laminin-332.
These results suggest that the laminin fusion gene affects not only the collective passage of squamous cell carcinoma cells from epithelial tissues through the basement membrane but also that they may be involved in cellular transformation during the development of squamous carcinoma from epithelial cells.

Free Research Field

腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

がん浸潤・転移のこれまでの研究は、上皮間葉転換による上皮細胞の間葉細胞への転換を介したマトリックスメタロプロテアーゼによる基底膜破壊を介した様式に着目している。しかし、口腔がんや大腸がんなどの扁平上皮がんで見られる基底膜破壊を介さず、早期がんにも関わらず間葉組織への浸潤を示す質の悪い性質をもつ。本研究成果は、扁平上皮がん細胞が基底膜破壊に関与せず、脆弱な基底膜を通り抜けることを可能とする可能性を示唆している。このため、ラミニン融合遺伝子の発現が新たな扁平上皮がん細胞の基底膜を集団で通過する指標や鍵となる可能性をもつ。