Potential Role of S100A8 in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Differentiation

BACKGROUND: S100A8 is differentially expressed in various cell types and is associated with a number of malignant disorders. S100A8 may affect tumor biology. However, its role in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not well established. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between S100A8 and cutaneous SCC development. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining to detect S100A8 expression in facial skin specimens of premalignant actinic keratosis (AK), malignant SCC, and normal tissues. In addition, we utilized postconfluence and high calcium-induced differentiation in a culture system model. Furthermore, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing GFP-tagged S100A8 to investigate the role of S100A8 in SCC cell differentiation. RESULTS: S100A8 was significantly overexpressed in human cutaneous SCC compared to that in normal and AK tissues. S100A8 was gradually upregulated in SCC cells in a post-confluence-induced differentiation model. Overexpression of S100A8 in SCC cells induced by adenoviral transduction led to increased expression levels of differentiation markers, such as loricrin, involucrin, and filaggrin. S100A8 overexpression also increased loricrin and involucrin luciferase activity. CONCLUSION: S100A8 regulates cutaneous SCC differentiation and induces well-differentiated SCC formation in skin.