Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and connexin-43 in oral cancer cell lines

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell proliferation and invasion using a three-dimensional cell culture model.Materials and methodsTwo OSCC cell lines (BSC-OF and HSC-4) were cultured on type I collagen gel. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and connexin-43 expression levels were examined using reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry.ResultsHistologically, BSC-OF cells showed exophytic behavior with poor invasiveness, whereas HSC-4 cells showed marked invasion of the underlying collagen gel. RT-PCR revealed that MMP-1 expression was significantly higher in HSC-4 cells than in BSC-OF cells, while connexin expression was significantly higher in BSC-OF cells than in HSC-4 cells (*P < 0.05). Immunohistochemically, marked expression of MMP-1 was observed in HSC-4 cells and aberrant expression of connexin-43 was detected in BSC-OF cells.ConclusionThese results suggest that high expression of MMP-1 at the mRNA and protein levels in HSC-4 cells is a factor in the induction of cell invasion. They also showed low expression of MMP-1 and aberrant expression of connexin-43 at the mRNA and protein levels in BSC-OF cells, suggesting that this is a factor in the induction of exophytic growth.