Reduction of LOX- and LOXL2-mRNA expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Besides other molecular functions, the lysyl oxidase gene (LOX) has been assumed and shown to have a tumor suppressive function in vitro and in vivo. The cancer-related functions of both LOX and LOXL2 have not yet been investigated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the mRNA levels of LOX and LOXL2 in ten malignantly transformed cell lines and sixteen malignant tissue samples of different graded and staged HNSCC by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The LOX-mRNA level in both cell lines and tissues of HNSCC was markedly reduced as opposed to benign keratinocyte cell lines and mucosal tissue samples of the upper aerodigestive tract. Similar results were shown for LOXL2-mRNA levels in cell lines, whereas no reduction of LOXL2-mRNA levels was found in the malignantly transformed tissues. CONCLUSION: These findings support the presumption that LOX is involved in tumor suppressive processes and also of LOXL2 playing a role in malignant transformation.