CR5/CCL5 axis is linked to a poor outcome, and inhibition reduces metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Wilfredo Alejandro González-Arriagada*, Ricardo D. Coletta, Carlo Lozano-Burgos, Cynthia García, Jaime Maripillán, Francisca Alcayaga-Miranda, Bastián Godínez-Pacheco, Sebastián Oyarce-Pezoa, René Martínez-Flores, Isaac E. García

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The CCR5/CCL5 axis is essential for interactions between malignant cells and microenvironment components, promoting tumor progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aims to evaluate the association of CCL5 and CCR5 with the behavior of oral cancer and assess the therapeutic potential of a CCR5 antagonist. Methods: A retrospective study to analyze CCR5 and CCL5 expression on paraffin-embedded tissues was performed. In cell lines, rhCCL5 was added to induce CCR5-related pathways, and Maraviroc and shRNA against CCR5 were used to neutralize the receptor. Finally, an in vivo murine orthotopic xenograft model of tongue cancer was used to evaluate Maraviroc as an oncologic therapy. After 15 days, the mice were killed, and the primary tumors and cervical lymph nodes were analyzed. Results: The expression of CCR5 was associated with clinical stage and metastasis, and CCL5 was related to overall survival. Adding rhCCL5 induced cell proliferation, while shRNA and Maraviroc reduced it in a dose-dependent manner. Maraviroc treatment also increased apoptosis and modified cytoskeletal organization. In vivo, Maraviroc reduced neck metastasis. Conclusions: The effects of CCR5 antagonists in OSCC have been poorly studied, and this study reports in vitro and in vivo evidence for the effects of Maraviroc in OSCC. Our results suggest that the CCR5/CCL5 axis plays a role in oral cancer behavior, and that its inhibition is a promising new therapy alternative.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17335-17346
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Volume149
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

  • CCL5 chemokine
  • CCR5 receptor
  • Metastasis
  • Oral cancer
  • Prognosis
  • Survival

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'CR5/CCL5 axis is linked to a poor outcome, and inhibition reduces metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this