Serpin B3/B4, activated by STAT3, promote survival of squamous carcinoma cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Jan 23;378(4):821-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.11.147. Epub 2008 Dec 12.

Abstract

Persistently activated STAT3 contributes to cell survival in many different human cancers. Cancer cell secretion of IL-6 is a frequent basis for persistent STAT3 activation; we show that antibodies against IL-6 or gp-130, the signaling unit of the IL-6 receptor, can abruptly remove persistently activated STAT3 causing prompt disappearance of cysteine proteases of serpin B3/B4 mRNAs, known as squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 and 2. STAT3 occupies the promoter of serpin B3/B4 before removal and siRNA removal of B3/B4 mRNA caused cell death in HN13 head and neck cancer cells. Thus persistently activated STAT3 is a required part of the continuous activation of B3/B4 genes, which protects tumor cells from dying.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130 / analysis
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130 / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Serpins / genetics*
  • Transcriptional Activation*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • IL6ST protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Serpins
  • squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen
  • Cytokine Receptor gp130