Stress hormones increase cell proliferation and regulates interleukin-6 secretion in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

► Norepinephrine at stress levels upregulate the IL-6 expression in OSCC cells. ► Norepinephrine and cortisol increase the proliferation of OSCC cells. ► OSCC cells and biopsies express β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). ► Increase of IL-6 expression and proliferation in OSCC cells by norepinephrine requires β-ARs activation. ► IL-6 neutralizing ab partially inhibit NE-induced proliferation.