Oral Carcinogenesis Induced by 4-Nitroquinoline 1-Oxide in Lecithin:retinol Acyltransferase Gene Knockout Mice

摘要

Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) regulates retinol (vitamin A) metabolism by esterifying retinol. LRAT expression is decreased in cultured human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) relative to normal epithelial cells. We investigated whether the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) induced a higher incidence of oral cancer in LRAT knockout than wild type (Wt) mice. We also investigated retinol deprivation during 4-NQO treatment in LRAT^−/− mice as a model for rapid retinol deficiency. We observed higher levels of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (Sfrp2), an inhibitor of WNT signaling, in tongue tumors in LRAT^−/− versus Wt. LRAT^−/− embryonic stem cells also expressed higher Sfrp2 transcripts, indicating an interaction between retinol and WNT signaling. Cox-2, Cyclin D1, p21, Trop2, and RARβ2 were not differentially expressed in Wt versus LRAT^−/− tongue tumors. Wt and LRAT^−/− mice fed a retinol sufficient diet showed the same oral tumor incidence after 4-NQO. In contrast, tongue tumors developed in 60% of Wt and in 100% of LRAT^−/− mice fed a retinol deficient diet during 4-NQO treatment (p=0.22); moreover, the BrdU labeling index was 21.0±2.4% in LRAT^−/− normal tongue epithelium as compared to 9.9±0.8% in Wt (p<0.001). Thus, partial retinol deficiency during carcinogen treatment (achieved in LRAT^−/−) resulted in more proliferating cells in tongue epithelia from LRAT^−/− mice and ultimately a greater probability of carcinogenesis.