Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can regulate the progression of numerous types of cancer; however, the bone invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been poorly investigated. In the present study, the effect of verrucous SCC‑associated stromal cells (VSCC‑SCs), SCC‑associated stromal cells (SCC‑SCs) and human dermal fibroblasts on bone resorption and the activation of HSC‑3 osteoclasts in vivo were examined by hematoxylin and eosin, AE1/3 (pan‑cytokeratin) and tartrate‑resistant acid phosphatase staining. In addition, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, membrane‑type 1 MMP (MT1‑MMP), Snail, receptor activator of NF‑κB ligand (RANKL) and parathyroid hormone‑related peptide (PTHrP) in the bone invasion regions of HSC‑3 cells were examined by immunohistochemistry. The results suggested that both SCC‑SCs and VSCC‑SCs promoted bone resorption, the activation of osteoclasts, and the expression levels of MMP9, MT1‑MMP, Snail, RANKL and PTHrP. However, SCC‑SCs had a more prominent effect compared with VSCC‑SCs. Finally, microarray data were used to predict potential genes underlying the differential effects of VSCC‑SCs and SCC‑SCs on bone invasion in OSCC. The results revealed that IL1B, ICAM1, FOS, CXCL12, INS and NGF may underlie these differential effects. In conclusion, both VSCC‑SCs and SCC‑SCs may promote bone invasion in OSCC by enhancing the expression levels of RANKL in cancer and stromal cells mediated by PTHrP; however, SCC‑SCs had a more prominent effect. These findings may represent a potential regulatory mechanism underlying the bone invasion of OSCC.
Keywords: bone invasion; cancer‑associated stromal cells; microarray; oral squamous cell carcinoma; osteoclast; parathyroid hormone‑related peptide; receptor activator of NF‑κB ligand.