The chemokine receptor‐CXCR2 plays a critical role in the invasion and metastases of oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC ) is one of the most common cancers in the world with about 50% survival rate over 5 years. OSCC has a highly invasive potency and frequently metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes, which is the principle reason leading to poor prognosis. CXCR 2, the receptor of CXC chemokines, has been reported to be involved in invasion and metastasis in multiple types of malignancy. However, the accurate role of CXCR 2 in OSCC has been little noticed. Methods In this study, we determined the expression of CXCR 2 in OSCC using immunohistochemical staining ( IHC ) and analyzed the association between the expression of CXCR2 and the biobehavior of OSCC . Then, we established stable OSCC cell lines with interference of CXCR 2 and observed the effect of CXCR 2 knockdown on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and morphological changes in vitro and in vivo . Results CXCR 2 was positively expressed in 55.3% of OSCC patients and was statistically associated with the high cervical lymph node metastasis in OSCC . CXCR 2 silencing markedly inhibited migration and invasion of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo . Moreover, CXCR 2 silencing led to morphological changes and decreased lamellipodial structures in OSCC cells. However, CXCR 2 silencing showed no effect on proliferation of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo . Conclusions CXCR 2 plays a critical role in the invasion and metastases of OSCC . And it is probably by regulating actin cytoskeletal remodeling that CXCR 2 takes part in the invasion and metastases of OSCC .