Objective: To explore altered molecular phenotype of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) induced by oral cancer cells. It is relevant to develop therapeutic strategies for blocking oral cancer spread through lymphatic vessels.
Methods: LEC were co-cultured with oral cancer cells in a model. Differential gene expression profiles between tumor-derived lymphatic endothelial cell (TLEC) and LEC were analyzed by Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip arrays. Differential expression genes of functional similarity were classified.
Results: Differential gene expression profiles revealed that 677 unique genes had at least a twofold change in expression level between the two groups, 384 were overexpressed, and 293 were underexpressed in TLEC. These genes were related to cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell motility, development, and angiogenesis. In addition, some genes were involved in signal transduction, immune response, cell metabolism, and so on.
Conclusion: LEC and TLEC are distinct at the molecular level. A novel therapeutic strategy of lymphatic metastasis is encouraging and anticipated based upon manipulation of LEC responses to oral cancer cells.