Interactions Between Oral Cancer Cells And Enterococcus Fecalis And Their Impact On Perineural Invasion

Authors

• Sree Ramya Bhamidipaati, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Advisor(s)

Hope Amm

Committee Member(s)

Jessica Scoffield
Quamarul Hassan

School

Joint Health Sciences (Interdisciplinary)

Document Type

Thesis

Department (new version)

Joint Health Sciences

Date of Award

9-9-2024

Abstract

Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (OSCC and OPSCC) are some of the most common cancers in the world. The overall 5-year survival rate is 68.5%, which drops to 39.3% in patients with later-stage cancers. This research aims to evaluate the effects of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) on the OSCC and OPSCC's tumor progression. E. faecalis is associated with asymptomatic, persistent endodontic infections and was found at a higher rate in OSCC patients. We hypothesize that cancer cells and Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) interact to affect the tumorigenic properties of oral cancer cells. OSCC cells from different parts of the oral cavity (both human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) and negative (HPV-)) were treated with E. faecalis and Streptococcus parasanguinis (Sp), non-pathogenic control. Proliferation was accessed using MTT and trypan blue assays. Migration and invasion were assessed using transwell assays, and mRNA levels were assessed using RT-qPCR. The two HPV+ cell lines (2A3 and SCC152) showed a significant increase in proliferation when treated with E. faecalis. An additional two HPV+ cell lines (SCC47 and SCC104) also showed an increase in the cancer cell proliferation with E. faecalis infection with V583 strain and VF, E. faecalis isolated from an oral cancer patient. HPV- cells showed a slight increase (Cal27) or no change in proliferation. The mRNA expression of MMP2 and MMP11 was significantly increased in A353 and FaDu cells. We also saw an increase in GLI1 and NGF expression in E. faecalis-treated SCC47 cells. In SCC152 cells a rise in MMP2, HES1, and GLI1 was observed. Similarly, the mRNA expressions of MMP2, HES1, and GLI1 were high with Ef-treated SCC104 cells. Understanding E. faecalis effects may assist doctors and researchers in finding effective ways to prevent the development of oral and oropharyngeal cancer and its recurrence.

ProQuest ID

https://proquest.com/docview/3101940326