Gene Regulation Analysis of the Effects of EVO on Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objectives: To use gene chip technology to study the effects of evodiamine (EVO) on the gene expression profile of tongue squamous cell/carcinoma CAL-27 cell line, for the purpose of analyzing the mechanisms underlying the effects of EVO on gene expression and functional regulation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells at the gene level.
Methods: Differentially expressed genes in CAL-27 cells treated with EVO were detected using gene chip technology and analyzed using ingenuity pathway analysis
Results: Microarray results showed that there were 1,243 differentially expressed genes following treatment with CAL-27 cells; 684 genes were up-regulated and 559 were down-regulated. Classical pathway analysis revealed a total of 89 signal transduction pathways with up-regulated gene set enrichment, including LPS/IL-1-mediated inhibition of retinoid X receptor (RXR) function, agrin interactions at neuromuscular junctions, cholecystokinin/gastrin-mediated signaling, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, and IL-6 signaling. A total of 39 signal transduction pathways were enriched for the down-regulated genes, including interferon (IFN) signals, liver X receptor (LXR)/RXR activation signals, and RhoGDI signals. In the disease and function analysis, the up-regulated genes were enriched in viral infection, RNA virus replication, viral replication, cancer cell invasion, cell invasion, and other related functions, while down-regulated genes were enriched in neuromuscular diseases, and leukocyte differentiation, antiviral response, connective tissue cell death and other functions.
Conclusions: Gene chip analysis offers an effective means of screening differential gene expression between EVO-treated tongue squamous cancer cells and controls, thus providing a sound basis for further research.