Expression and Localisation of Cathepsins B, D, and G in Two Cancer Stem Cell Subpopulations in Moderately Differentiated Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Therese Featherston, Reginald Marsh, Bede van Schaijik, Helen D. Brasch, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang

Frontiers in Medicine. July 2017. Volume 4, Article 100  doi: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00100

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmed.2017.00100/full

The GMRI has previously demonstrated the putative presence of two cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulations within moderately differentiated oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (MDOTSCC), which express components of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS).

In this study we investigated the expression and localisation of the proteases cathepsins B, D, and G in relation to these CSC subpopulations within MDOTSCC.

We identified the presence of cathepsins B and D in the CSCs and cathepsin G on what are phenotypically mast cells. The identification of these suggests the presence of bypass loops for the RAS. Consistent with our other findings with respect to the control of the RAS, this represents an additional area of regulation as part of a novel therapeutic target for MDOTSCC.