A Study on Regulating OSCC Cell Function by Blocking Integrin αvβ3 With Cilengitide

ABSTRACT Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most important histologic type of oral tumor. Integrin‐ and integrin‐dependent processes are involved in almost every step of cancer progression. Integrin αvβ3 was initially considered an integrin associated with tumor angiogenesis. With the gradual deepening of research, it was found that αvβ3 also plays a role in tumor cells. This study aimed to explore the function of tumor cell integrin αvβ3 in the progression of OSCC. Methods Immunohistochemical methods in OSCC tissues explored the expression of integrin αvβ3. CCK‐8, EdU, Cell cycle assay, Scratch test, Transwell, Cell adhesion assay, Colony formation assay, Apoptosis assay, and in vivo experiment were performed to investigate the effects of integrin αvβ3 on the biological behaviors of OSCC cells such as proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion. Results In this study, we found that integrin αvβ3 expression was upregulated in OSCC. The inhibition of integrin αvβ3 expression by cilengitide resulted in the inhibition of proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. Conclusion Integrin αvβ3 regulates cell proliferation by affecting the cell cycle. Furthermore, inhibition of integrin αvβ3 expression significantly suppresses migration and invasion of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo.