Identification of oral squamous cell carcinoma markers MUC2 and SPRR1B downstream of TANGO

Purpose Transport and Golgi organization protein 1 (TANGO) promotes angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, this study aims to identify and characterize elements downstream of TANGO that mediate its involvement in OSCC. Methods In this study, microarray analysis compared gene expression between control and TANGO-repressed HSC3 cells. Protein expression in 213 OSCC tissue samples was analyzed immunohistochemically. Results TANGO repression decreased or increased expression of Mucin 20 (MUC20) and small proline-rich protein 1B (SPRR1B), respectively. MUC20 increased the growth and invasiveness of OSCC cells via altered matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and E-cadherin expression and c-met phosphorylation. MUC20 induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis by activating vascular endothelial growth factors A and C. In well-differentiated OSCC, SPRR1B expression was high (P = 0.0091) and correlated with keratinization markers and promoted proliferation by inducing mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 phosphorylation. MUC20 expression correlated significantly with clinical stage (P = 0.0024), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0036), and number of blood and lymph vessels (P < 0.0001). MUC20-expressing cases had a significantly worse prognosis than non-expressing cases (P < 0.0001). Conclusion MUC20 and SPRR1B located downstream of TANGO may be useful molecular markers for OSCC.

Automated summary

TANGO downstream proteins MUC20 and SPRR1B may serve as useful molecular markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) due to their roles in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis.