Inhibitory effects of int-2 gene on the invasion and metastasis of oral cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of int-2 transfection on the invasiveness and metastasis of oral cancer BcaCD885 cells, and to determine the relevant mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-purity int-2 eukaryotic expression plasmids were prepared and transfected using a modified cationic liposome-mediated transfection protocol. Nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (NDPKA) expression before and after transfection was examined, as well as changes in cell invasiveness and metastasis capabilities. RESULTS: Int-2 was confirmed to be stably expressed post-transfection into oral cancer cells. Expression of int-2 in BcaCD885 cells was significantly different before and after transfection. The proportion of invasive cells were 70.3%+/-8.2% and 46.5%+/-5.7%, and the proportion of chemotaxis cells were 78.5%+/-7.9% and 49.6%+/-7.5%, in the in the control and experimental groups respectively. The adhesion capability of cells in the experimental group was also significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of int-2 expression can significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis of BcaCD885 cells.