Methods: Oral CAFs were isolated, cultured and identified. The expression of YAP and α-smooth muscle action (α-SMA), the proliferation rate and maximum passages were observed in CAFs. CAFs with differential YAP expression were combined with OSCC cells and xenografted under the renal capsule to observe the growth of tumor.
Results: The abundance of YAP and α-SMA concentrated in different CAFs cell lines and displayed characteristic spatial distribution in OSCC tissues. CAFs with high α-SMA or low YAP expression stayed closest to the cancer body and CAFs with low α-SMA or high YAP expression appeared far away. The space between the two was filled with the transitional abundance of YAP and α-SMA. CAFs with low α-SMA or high YAP expression owned a highest maximum passages and strongest role in tumor promotion.
Conclusions: YAP may serve as an indicator for a subgroup of CAFs.