鳞癌细胞增殖能力与岩藻糖基转移酶表达水平及糖蛋白岩藻糖基化修饰有关

岩藻糖基转移酶（fucosyltransferases,FUTs）是一类催化糖蛋白和糖脂发生岩藻糖基化（修饰）酶,主要包括FUT1~FUT9。已有研究证明,很多癌组织中都有不同FUT基因表达升高的现象。本研究证明,表皮鳞癌细胞的增殖能力与几种FUT基因表达水平有关。本文比较研究了人表皮鳞癌A431和SCC12细胞的增殖速度和几种FUT的表达状况,以揭示鳞癌细胞增殖能力与几种FUT基因表达水平的关系。细胞倍增时间结合MTT法揭示,鳞癌A431细胞的倍增时间约为26 h,而鳞癌SCC12细胞的倍增时间约为33 h（P < 0.05）,提示A431细胞增殖速度比SCC12细胞明显加快。与增殖速度一致的是,Western 印迹显示,A431细胞中与DNA合成相关的增殖细胞核抗原（proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA）蛋白表达水平比SCC12细胞高。实时定量PCR（qPCR）检测FUT1-9基因 mRNA转录本,揭示A431细胞中几种FUT基因的mRNA水平均显著高于SCC12细胞。凝集素免疫印迹法和Western 印迹法进一步证明,A431细胞中总蛋白的岩藻糖基化水平比SCC12细胞中的明显升高。敲低FUT4基因表达后,A431细胞中LeY寡糖的表达水平下调,细胞增殖被明显抑制。这些结果证明,较强的表皮鳞癌细胞增殖能力可能与几种FUT基因的高表达,以及糖蛋白的岩藻糖基化（修饰）相关。岩藻糖基转移酶表达水平与临床表皮鳞癌的恶性增生的相关性有待进一步证明。     

HaCaT细胞中FUT4表达与其启动子区甲基化的相关性分析

岩藻糖基转移酶Ⅳ(Fucosyltransferase Ⅳ,FUT4)在正常细胞中表达量很低,但其低表达的调控机制以及是否受其启动子甲基化调控并不十分清楚。文章采用Western blot、免疫荧光和Real-time PCR的方法检测正常人永生化表皮细胞系HaCaT细胞FUT4的表达,观察DNA甲基转移酶抑制剂5-aza-dC处理对FUT4表达的影响。应用甲基化特异性PCR方法分析HaCaT细胞中FUT4启动子甲基化状态。结果表明,HaCaT细胞中FUT4的表达水平明显低于人表皮鳞癌细胞A431和SCC12。5 μmol/L的5-aza-dC处理72 h的HaCaT细胞,其FUT4 mRNA水平明显升高,并且与未经5-aza-dC处理的对照组相比,U引物扩增检测到的产物量增加,M 引物扩增检测到的产物量明显减少。这些结果表明,HaCaT细胞中FUT4的低表达可能与其启动子区CpG岛甲基化有关。     

过表达外源FUT8增加乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭能力

核心岩藻糖的修饰被认为是对糖蛋白进行转录后加工和功能调控的一种重要方式, 与肿瘤的发生发展密切相关, 但其在乳腺癌恶性转化过程中所发挥的生物学功能尚不明确. 本文构建了α1,6-岩藻糖基移转酶（FUT8）基因真核表达载体,将其转染人乳腺癌细胞Bcap-37, 实时PCR及Western印迹检测FUT8 mRNA和蛋白质表达, 通过细胞划痕实验和Transwell小室观察FUT8过表达对细胞体外迁移、侵袭能力的影响, 免疫共沉淀和Western印迹检测肿瘤细胞整合素、基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs）家族相关蛋白质表达水平变化. 结果显示,外源FUT8基因在mRNA水平和蛋白质水平的表达均显著增加, FUT8过表达组细胞迁移和侵袭能力明显增强;上调FUT8基因表达可使Bcap-37细胞中核心岩藻糖基化的整合素-α3β1、MMP-2和MMP-9在蛋白质水平呈不同程度升高. 上述研究表明,FUT8可通过核心岩藻糖化修饰正性调控整合素-α3β1的功能, 诱导MMP-2、MMP-9的表达, 促进乳腺癌细胞的迁移和侵袭.     

Ikaros调控FUT4转录活性及其机制的初步分析

岩藻糖基转移酶IV(fucosyltransferase IV,FUT4)是催化蛋白质岩藻糖基化的关键酶,参与肿瘤细胞的增殖、迁移和浸润,但关于FUT4的转录调控机制目前尚不清楚。该文通过对人FUT4基因近端启动子序列进行分析,构建不同长度启动子删减体的荧光素酶报告基因表达载体,分析其转录活性。转录因子结合位点在线网站ALGGEN预测FUT4近端启动子序列,发现转录因子Ikaros在FUT4的启动子区有潜在的结合位点。该研究旨在初步探讨Ikaros调控FUT4转录活性,进一步完善FUT4的调控机制。荧光素酶活性分析FUT4基因启动子删减体的转录活性和Ikaros对FUT4转录活性的影响。结果显示,FUT4转录起始位点上游1.2 Kb(FUT4-1.2 Kb)在293T细胞中转录活性最高;Ikaros抑制FUT4的转录活性,且呈现剂量依赖效应;当Ikaros的DNA结合位点发生缺失性突变时,能够解除Ikaros对FUT4转录活性的抑制作用。     

环吡酮胺对食管鳞癌细胞增殖和迁移的影响

环吡酮胺已被确认为潜在的抗肿瘤药物,但其对于食管鳞癌细胞的影响及其作用机制尚不完全明确。本研究应用MTT法确定了环吡酮胺对食管鳞癌细胞Eca109的IC_(50)和对细胞增殖能力的影响。通过Transwell迁移实验检测环吡酮胺对食管鳞癌细胞迁移能力的影响;Seahorse生物能量分析仪检测食管鳞癌细胞耗氧率;应用流式细胞术分析环吡酮胺对食管鳞癌细胞内活性氧、线粒体活性氧、线粒体膜电位、细胞周期以及细胞凋亡的影响;应用Western blot技术检测环吡酮胺对食管鳞癌细胞线粒体呼吸链酶复合物亚基、细胞周期以及细胞凋亡相关蛋白的影响。该研究显示,环吡酮胺能够破坏线粒体功能、促进食管鳞癌细胞内和线粒体活性氧的累积、诱导细胞凋亡、同时阻滞细胞周期在G1期,进而抑制食管鳞癌细胞的增殖和迁移。该研究结果提示,环吡酮胺具有一定的抑制食管鳞癌细胞增殖和迁移的能力,是一种潜在的治疗食管鳞癌的药物。     

circNEIL3靶向miR-218-5p对口腔鳞状细胞癌细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移、侵袭的影响

该文旨在探讨circNEIL3对口腔鳞癌细胞生物学行为的影响及其可能的作用机制。采用qRT-PCR法检测口腔鳞癌组织、癌旁组织、人口腔鳞癌细胞(CAL-27、SCC-25、SCC-9、HSC-3)以及正常口腔角质细胞HOK中circNEIL3、miR-218-5p的表达量;以CAL-27细胞为研究对象,si-circNEIL3、miR-218-5p mimics、si-NC、miR-NC分别转染至CAL-27细胞, si-circNEIL3和antimiR-NC、si-circNEIL3和anti-miR-218-5p分别共转染至CAL-27细胞; MTT法检测CAL-27细胞增殖情况;流式细胞术检测CAL-27细胞凋亡情况; Transwell检测CAL-27细胞侵袭和迁移情况。双荧光素酶报告实验检测circNEIL3与miR-218-5p的靶向关系; Western blot检测Bax、Bcl-2、caspase-3、cleaved-caspase-3蛋白表达量。与癌旁组织相比,口腔鳞癌组织中circNEIL3的表达量升高(P<0.01),miR-218-5p的表达量降低(P...     

抑制mTOR信号通路可增强5-aza-dC对胃癌细胞生长的抑制作用

本实验主要研究哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）信号通路与DNA甲基化在人胃癌细胞生存活力、细胞周期、相关基因及蛋白表达方面的相互作用．分别单独或联合DNA甲基化酶抑制剂5-氮杂-2’-脱氧胞苷（5-aza-dC）、mTOR抑制剂雷帕霉素（rapamycin,RAPA）和P13K抑制剂LY294002干预人胃癌MKN45和SGC7901细胞,以MTT检测细胞生存活力,流式细胞术检测细胞周期,real-timePCR检测PTEN,p27^Kip1基因表达情况,亚硫酸氢盐修饰后测序检测DNA甲基化改变,蛋白免疫印迹检测相关蛋白表达情况．结果发现单独应用5-aza-dC对胃癌细胞的抑制作用不明显,当其联合mTOR信号通路抑制剂时则显著抑制胃癌细胞生长（P〈0．01）;抑制mTOR信号通路可增强5-aza-dC使细胞阻滞在G2期的作用;联合用药还能提高抑癌基因PTEN,p27^Kip1的表达,但不影响DNA甲基化状态;LY294002及RAPA使Akt,p70S6K及4E-BPl磷酸化表达显著下降（P〈0．01）,但5-aza-dE并不增强这一效应．以上研究提示mTOR信号通路抑制剂可间接促进DNA甲基化酶抑制剂对胃癌细胞的抑制作用,为肿瘤的治疗提供新思路．     

5-Aza-CdR对人胃癌细胞株生物学行为及RASSFlA mRNA表达的影响

观察不同浓度的5-氮-2′-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-CdR)对人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28生长及RASSF1A mRNA表达的影响。方法:分别以0．4μmol/L、1．6μmol/L、6．4μmol/L、25．6μmol/L、102．4μmol/L浓度的5-Aza-CdR处理人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28,MTT比色法测定72h时间段的吸光度值、计算抑制率,流式细胞仪检测5-Aza-CdR对胃癌细胞株生长周期及凋亡的影响,RT-PCR检测5-Aza-CdR处理前、后抑癌基因RASSF1A mRNA的表达。结果:5-Aza-CdR抑制体外培养人胃癌细胞株BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28生长,呈浓度依赖性;5-Aza-CdR能有效诱导BGC-823、SGC-7901、MKN-28细胞凋亡;RT-PCR检测人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901、MKN-28无RASSF1A mRNA表达,经5-Aza-CdR处理后基因重新表达, BGC-823处理前后RASSF1A mRNA均有表达。结论:新型抑癌基因RASSF1A与胃癌的发生相关,5-Aza-CdR能抑制胃癌细胞株的增殖,并促进凋亡,其机制可能与RASSF1A基因的重新表达有关。     

5-Aza-dC对Molt-4细胞RASSF10基因启动子的去甲基化作用

探讨甲基化抑制剂5-氮杂-2’-脱氧胞苷(5-Aza-2’deoxycytidine,5-Aza-dC)对人急性淋巴细胞白血病Molt-4细胞的增殖抑制作用及对RASSF10基因启动子甲基化状态的影响。体外培养Molt-4细胞,采用不同浓度5-Aza-dC对Molt-4细胞进行处理。采用MTT法检测细胞增殖抑制率,RT-PCR法检测RASSF10 mRNA表达的变化,Westernblot检测RASSF10蛋白表达的变化,COBRA实验检测RASSF10甲基化水平。一定浓度的5-Aza-dC作用Molt-4细胞后,细胞增殖抑制率显著升高,且具有时间和剂量依赖性。对照组Molt-4细胞未检出RASSF10 mRNA及蛋白表达,而5-Aza-dC处理组检出RASSF10基因重新表达。COBRA实验结果提示对照组Molt-4细胞中存在启动子高甲基化的现象,而5-Aza-dC处理组Molt-4细胞的RASSF10基因被部分去甲基化。甲基化抑制剂5-Aza-dC可通过对RASSF10基因的去甲基化作用,重新恢复RASSF10的表达,从而抑制Molt-4细胞的增殖。     

靶向survivin的siRNA联合5-Fu转染抑制肝细胞株HepG2增殖的研究

目的：研究靶向survivin的（小分子干扰RNA）siRNA和（氟尿嘧啶）5-FU联用对肝癌细胞HepG2的增殖抑制及凋亡的影响。方法：将HepG2细胞分为空白对照组、阴性对照组、5-FU处理组、siRNA转染组、5-FU＋siRNA转染组。转染采用脂质体法。RT-PCR法检测HepG2细胞survivinmRNA转录水平;MTT法检测靶向survivin的siRNA和5．FU对HepG2细胞增殖的抑制作用;流式细胞术检测HepG2细胞凋亡情况。结果：空白对照组、阴性对照组、5-FU处理组survivinmRNA表达无明显变化（P〉0．05）,siRNA转染组、5-FU＋siRNA转染组survivinmRNA表达明显下降（F=280．326,q=4．72-7．34,P〈0．05）。5-FU＋siRNA转染组增殖抑制率为51．58％±1-35％,与其它各组相比抑制率明显增高（F=280．326,q=5．27-9．84,P〈0．05）。5-Fu＋siRNA组与其它各组相比细胞凋亡率明显增高（F=13568．68,q=110．47-327．16,P〈0．01）。结论：将靶向survivin的siRNA和5一Fu联合应用可以显著抑制肝癌细胞survivin基因表达,并协同抑制HepG2细胞增殖,共同发挥诱导细胞凋亡作用。     

Bromodomain protein BRD4 promotes cell proliferation in skin squamous cell carcinoma

The present study examined the expression and biological functions of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. Our results show that BRD4 mRNA and protein expression was upregulated in human skin SCC cells, as compared to its level in the normal skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Treatment with BRD4 inhibitors, JQ1 and CPI203, resulted in proliferation inhibition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in both established (A431 cell line) and primary skin SCC cells. Furthermore, BRD4 knockdown (by targeted shRNAs) or knockout (by CRISPR/Cas9) largely inhibited A431 cell proliferation. Reversely, forced-overexpression of BRD4 in A431 cells facilitated cell proliferation. We show that BRD4 is required for the expression of several oncogenes, including cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and MYC. BRD4 inhibition, knockdown or knockout significantly decreased above oncogene expression in SCC cells. In vivo, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated BRD4 knockout significantly suppressed A431 xenograft tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Together, our results suggest that BRD4 could be a novel and pivotal oncogenic protein of skin SCC.     

Suppression of FUT1/FUT4 expression by siRNA inhibits tumor growth

Lewis Y (LeY) antigen is highly expressed in a variety of human carcinomas of epithelial cell origin. Recent studies suggest functional blockade of LeY may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancers. However, suppressing LeY expression by genetic manipulation and its impact on neoplastic cell proliferation has not been investigated. We report here that different fucosyltransferases (FUTs) were expressed with the greatest expression of fucosyltransferase I or IV (FUT1/4), the two key enzymes for the synthesis of LeY in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells. Knocking down FUT1/4 expression by short interfering RNA technique dramatically reduced the expression of FUT1/4 and LeY and inhibited cell proliferation through decreasing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. Treatment of A431 cells that were inoculated into the nude mice with FUT1 siRNA or FUT4 siRNA greatly impeded tumor growth. Suppressing FUT1/4 expression also blocked EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR and mitogen-activated protein kinases. In conclusion, suppressing the expression of FUT1/4 by RNAi technology reduces the synthesis of LeY and inhibits cancer growth. It may serve as a potential methodology for the treatment of cancers that express LeY glycoconjugates.     

α1,6-Fucosyltransferase contributes to cell migration and proliferation as well as to cancer stemness features in pancreatic carcinoma

BackgroundPancreatic carcinoma is one of the deadliest malignant diseases, in which the increased expression of α1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8), a sole enzyme responsible for catalyzing core fucosylation, has been reported. However, its pathological roles and regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we use two pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells, as cell models, to explore the relationship of FUT8 with the malignant transformation of PDAC.MethodsFUT8 knockout (FUT8-KO) cells were established by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Cell migration was analyzed by transwell and wound-healing assays. Cell proliferation was examined by MTT and colony-formation assays. Cancer stemness markers and spheroid formations were used to analyzed cancer stemness features.ResultsDeficiency of FUT8 inhibited cell migration and proliferation in both MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells compared with wild-type cells. Moreover, the expression levels of cancer stemness markers such as EpCAM, CXCR4, c-Met, and CD133 were decreased in the FUT8-KO cells compared with wild-type cells. Also, the spheroid formations in the KO cells were loose and unstable, which could be reversed by restoration with FUT8 gene in the KO cells. Additionally, FUT8-KO increased the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine, which is the first-line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer.ConclusionsFUT8-KO reduced the cell proliferation and migration. Our results are the first to suggest that the expression of FUT8 is involved in regulating the stemness features of pancreatic cancer cells.General significanceFUT8 could provide novel insights for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.     

芳姜黄酮对人皮肤鳞状细胞癌A431细胞迁移、侵袭及凋亡的影响和机制研究

为研究芳姜黄酮(Ar-Turmerone)对人鳞状细胞癌A431细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和凋亡的影响及机制。实验采用CCK-8法检测抑制率,吉姆萨染色观察细胞形态,划痕实验和Transwell小室实验研究细胞迁移和侵袭能力的变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率。此外,通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real-time PCR)与蛋白质印迹法(western blot)法检测mRNA和蛋白表达。siRNA阻断Notch1,Hes1和PTEN,检测相应的下游mRNA和蛋白的表达变化,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率。结果发现,芳姜黄酮可以抑制A431细胞增殖,使细胞形态发生改变,抑制细胞体外迁移和侵袭能力,促进细胞凋亡。经过芳姜黄酮处理后,Notch1,Hes1,PTEN的mRNA和蛋白表达升高。沉默Notch1,Hes1 mRNA和蛋白表达低于单纯给药组,而沉默Hes1,PTEN mRNA和蛋白表达也低于单纯给药组;沉默PTEN后,与单纯给药组相比,细胞死亡率降低。总之,芳姜黄酮可以抑制人鳞状细胞癌A431细胞的增殖并促进其凋亡,且具有抑制体外迁移和侵袭的作用,其促进细胞凋亡的机制是通过Notch1/Hes1/PTEN途径实现的。     

Cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis in A431 cells is inhibited by fucosyltransferase IV

Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of difucosylated oligosaccharide LeY which is overexpressed in the cancers derived from the epithelial tissues. Our previous studies have shown that FUT4 overexpression promotes A431 cell proliferation through the MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, but the relationship between FUT4 and apoptosis remained unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of FUT4 overexpression on cyclophosphamide (CPA)-induced apoptosis in A431 cells. Western blot analysis showed that FUT4 overexpression decreased expression of Bax, Caspase 3, and PARP proteins, and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein in A431 cells. The anti-apoptosis effect of FUT4 was confirmed both by Annexin-V/PI and JC-1 assays. The results showed that FUT4 overexpression up-regulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt which was inhibited by CPA in dose-dependent manner. By blocking the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways with specific inhibitors, we demonstrated that these two pathways were required in mediating the anti-apoptosis effect of FUT4. We concluded that FUT4 inhibited cell apoptosis induced by CPA through decreasing the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax, Caspase 3, and PARP and increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 via the ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in A431 cells.     

IL-18通过调节TRPV4/Smad7信号通路促进皮肤鳞状细胞癌的增殖

目的:探讨白介素18(Interleukin-18,IL-18)对皮肤鳞状细胞癌(Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma,CSCC)增殖的影响及可能分子机制。方法:采用外源性IL-18刺激皮肤鳞状细胞癌A431细胞和Colo-16细胞24 h、48 h和72 h,通过CCK-8检测细胞的增殖能力;48 h后qRT-PCR和Western blot检测刺激前后瞬时感受器电位离子通道家族蛋白4(Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4,TRPV4)和Smad7以及p-Smad7的表达。外源性IL-18刺激皮肤鳞状细胞癌A431细胞和Colo-16细胞12 h后,采用TRPV4激动剂G3给药处理A431细胞和Colo-16细胞36 h,通过MMT检测细胞增殖能力,qRT-PCR和Western blot检测刺激前后TRPV4的表达和Smad7以及p-Smad7的表达。结果:外源性IL-18刺激A431细胞和Colo-16细胞可显著促进其增殖,抑制TRPV4的表达而激活p-Smad7的表达;TRPV4激动剂G3可以部分抵消外源性IL-18对A431细胞和Colo-16细胞的增殖作用。结论:IL-18可能通过下调TRPV4激活Smad7信号通路促进皮肤鳞状细胞癌增殖作用。     

The Characteristics and Function of S100A7 Induction in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Heterogeneity,Promotion of Cell Proliferation and Suppression of Differentiation

S100A7 is highly expressed in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and is related to the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. However, its characteristic and function in SCC is not very known. In this present study, we used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of S100A7 in 452 SCC specimens, including the lung, esophagus, oral cavity, skin, cervix, bladder, and three SCC cell lines. We found that S100A7-positive staining showed significant heterogeneity in six types of SCC specimen and three SCC cell lines. Further examination found that S100A7-positive cells and its expression at mRNA and protein levels could be induced in HCC94, FaDu, and A-431 cells both in vitro and in vivo using immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. Notably, the upregulation of squamous differentiation markers, including keratin-4, keratin-13, TG-1, and involucrin, also accompanied S100A7 induction, and a similar staining pattern of S100A7 and keratin-13 was found in HCC94 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Further study revealed that the overexpression of S100A7 significantly increased proliferation and inhibited squamous differentiation in A-431 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, silencing S100A7 inhibited cell growth and survival and increased the expression of keratin-4, keratin-13, TG-1, and involucrin in HCC94 cells. Therefore, these results demonstrate that S100A7 displays heterogeneous and inducible characteristic in SCC and also provide novel evidence that S100A7 acts as a dual regulator in promoting proliferation and suppressing squamous differentiation of SCC.     

Inhibition of p38 MAPK Signaling Augments Skin Tumorigenesis via NOX2 Driven ROS Generation

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) respond to a wide range of extracellular stimuli. While the inhibition of p38 signaling is implicated in the impaired capacity to repair ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage—a primary risk factor for human skin cancers—its mechanism of action in skin carcinogenesis remains unclear, as both anti-proliferative and survival functions have been previously described. In this study, we utilized cultured keratinocytes, murine tumorigenesis models, and human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) specimens to assess the effect of p38 in this regard. UV irradiation of normal human keratinocytes increased the expression of all four p38 isoforms (α/β/γ/δ); whereas irradiation of p53-deficient A431 keratinocytes derived from a human SCC selectively decreased p38α, without affecting other isoforms. p38α levels are decreased in the majority of human cutaneous SCCs assessed by tissue microarray, suggesting a tumor-suppressive effect of p38α in SCC pathogenesis. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of p38α and in A431 cells increased cell proliferation, which was in turn associated with increases in NAPDH oxidase (NOX2) activity as well as intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These changes led to enhanced invasiveness of A431 cells as assessed by the matrigel invasion assay. Chronic treatment of p53^-/-/SKH-1 mice with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 accelerated UV-induced SCC carcinogenesis and increased the expression of NOX2. NOX2 knockdown suppressed the augmented growth of A431 xenografts treated with SB203580. These findings indicate that in the absence of p53, p38α deficiency drives SCC growth and progression that is associated with enhanced NOX2 expression and ROS formation.