Curcumin inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue through down-regulation of MMP10

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a natural polyphenol. Its anticancer effect has been σηοςν in various cancer types, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Our study hypothesized that curcumin may suppress the invasiveness of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) through the down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 10 (MMP10). METHODS: mRNAmicroarray analysis was performed on HN21B, in response to curcumin. Immunohistochemical staining of MMP10 was performed on a tissue array. MMP10 expression levels were verified by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining on TSCC cell lines. The effect of curcumin on TSCC cell lines was assessed by wound healing, adhesion, migration and invasion assays. RESULTS: Microarray analysis showed that MMP10 was down-regulated by 2.36-fold in HN21B in response to curcumin. In 13 out of 20 cases (65%), the TSCC tissue showed higher MMP10 expression than the adjacent normal tissue. Curcumin treatment of TSCC cell lines resulted in down-regulation of MMP10 gene and protein expression level in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin also suppressed adhesion, migration and invasion of TSCC cell lines. CONCLUSION: Curcumin treatment reduced MMP10 expression level in TSCC cell lines. This correlated with the reduction of invasiveness of TSCC cells. Application of curcumin as a chemotherapeutic agent warrants further investigation.