Proteases are Modulated by Fascin in Oral Cancer Invasion

BACKGROUND: Cancer invasion is a critical factor for survival and prognosis of patients with cancer. Identifying and targeting factors that influence cancer invasion are an important strategy to overcome cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of fascin known to be associated with cancer invasion. METHODS: Fascin depletion was performed with lentiviral short hairpin RNA against fascin mRNA and stable cell line (Fascin(dep)) was established. Matrigel-Transwell invasion and three-dimensional (3D) culture system were used to observe fascin depletion effects. In order to observe the changes of protease secretion by fascin depleted cancer cells, protease antibody array was performed. RESULTS: Fascin was highly expressed in invasive cancer cells. Fascin-depleted cells showed decreased cancer invasion in Matrigel-Transwell invasion and 3D culture system. In addition, inhibition of proteases secreation and decrease of intracellular proteases mRNA expression were observed in fascin deplete cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicates that fascin is closely involved in proteases activity and cancer invasion. Therefore, fascin is a strategically important factor for controlling cancer invasion.