Celecoxib suppresses cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma cell migration via inhibition of SDF1-induced endocytosis of CXCR4

Abstract

Ting Gong,1,* Yan Yu,2,* Bo Yang,3 Min Lin,4 Jin-Wen Huang,4 Bo Cheng,4 Chao Ji4 1Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China; 2Department of Dermatology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China; 3Department of Dermatology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; 4Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350005, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), the main type of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), contributes to 20-30% of the overall number of NMSC cases. Some CSCCs are observed to have metastatic potential induced by solar ultra violet (UV) radiation. Celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been largely associated with prevention of many cancer types. However, the relationship between celecoxib and CSCC cell migration has yet to be determined. Methods: To determine the association between celecoxib and CSCC, we performed a series of studies in human samples and in vitro models to assess the influence of celecoxib in CSCC cell migration. Results: In the present study, we found that celecoxib suppresses CSCC cell migration via inhibition of SDF1-induced endocytosis of CXCR4. In addition, ERK/AKT signaling pathways were found to play a key role in this biological process. Conclusion: Our study provides promising evidence that celecoxib could serve as a potential preventative agent for the metastasis of CSCC cells. Keywords: celecoxib, SDF1, cell migration, CXCR4, ERK–Akt pathway

Keywords

• Celecoxib
• SDF1
• cell migration
• CXCR4
• ERK/AKT pathway