Objective: To investigate the expression of chemokine receptor CCR7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its possible role in directional neck lymph node metastasis.
Methods: The expression of chemokine receptor CCR7 was examined in 85 cases of OSCC, normal oral mucosa, and Tca8113 and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC-M) cell lines using immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting. The relationship between the expression and clinicopathological factors of OSCC was analyzed. After treatment with or without CCR7 antibody, in vitro adhesion assay was performed to compare the adhesion of Tca8113 and ACC-M cells to lymph nodes.
Results: CCR7 was expressed in 66% (56/85) of OSCC cases, and there was a significant difference in CCR7 expression between metastasis group (31/39, 79%) and non-metastasis group (25/46, 54%). RT-PCR and Western blotting also confirmed the presence of positive CCR7 expression in OSCC. Tca8113 cells expressing CCR7 showed stronger ability to adhere to lymph nodes as compared to CCR7-negative ACC-M cells and could be actively inhibited by CCR7 antibody.
Conclusions: CCR7 may play an important role in the development and lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.