Role of exosome-mediated release of proteins on growth of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25893124
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: SAWAI Natsuko 大阪大学, 歯学研究科(研究院), 招聘教員 (10403031)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 扁平上皮癌 / エキソソーム / FABP4 / 培養細胞 / 浸潤 / siRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles that are present in many biological fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, and cultured medium of cell cultures. Exosomes may affect various cell functions such as cell growth and signal transductions. We have found that fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is ectopically expressed on tumor cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma isolated from patients. FABP4 is contained and released via exosomes. Knockdown of FABP4 by specific siRNA in cultured cell lines of squamous cell carcinoma dramatically suppressed the cell growth. Involvement of FABP4-mediated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway was observed on the growth of squamous cell carcinomas. Our observations may indicate that ectopic expression and exosome-mediated release of FABP4 are important for the growth of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Free Research Field

口腔外科学