Method: Two different cell lines were used; UM-SCC-17B cells derived from a metastatic location from a female with a metastatic laryngeal neck tumor, and SCC-58 derived directly from a female with laryngeal neck tumor. Cells were transduced with Adenovirus: GFP-only control, TWSG1-GFP overexpressing TWSG1. Transduction efficiency was visualized by GFP, and overexpression was confirmed by western blotting. Migration potential of cells was evaluated using transwell migration chambers with 2% serum as a chemoattractant.
Result: Cells overexpressing TWSG1 had characteristic morphology, such as large vacuoles, ruffled borders, aggregation, and larger size. In addition, cells overexpressing TWSG1 demonstrated a migratory advantage compared to control groups as well as increased survival.
Conclusion: Laryngeal SCC cells overexpressing TWSG1 demonstrate features of an “invasive phenotype,” suggesting that TWSG1 may play a role in the invasion and progression of head and neck SCC.
Supported by UMSOD Summer fellowship Program, Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Predoctoral Fellowship BC100263 to C.L.F., and R01 DE016601 to A.P.