Protein Kinase C Epsilon Signals Ultraviolet Light-Induced Cutaneous Damage and Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Possibly Through Induction of Specific Cytokines in a Paracrine Mechanism

January 2005 in “ Photochemistry and Photobiology ”

Deric L. Wheeler, Y. Li, Ajit Kumar Verma

Protein kinase C epsilon PKCepsilon ultraviolet radiation squamous cell carcinoma cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNFalpha paracrine mechanism skin carcinogenesis

Studysummary This study found that overexpression of PKCepsilon in mouse epidermis was associated with increased susceptibility to metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, potentially through a mechanism involving tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated the role of Protein kinase C epsilon (PKCepsilon) in skin carcinogenesis using transgenic mice that overexpressed PKCepsilon. These mice showed increased sensitivity to developing metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (mSCC) when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or a tumor promotion protocol. The development of squamous cell carcinoma was linked to PKCepsilon-mediated induction of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). Interestingly, PKCepsilon was not expressed in the tumors themselves but was present in the surrounding uninvolved tissue, suggesting a paracrine mechanism. Similar patterns were observed in human squamous cell carcinoma, indicating that PKCepsilon overexpression in the epidermis may create a microenvironment conducive to mSCC development through specific cytokines.

View this study on bioone.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research Protein Kinase C Epsilon Is Linked to 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Ectodomain Shedding and the Development of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Protein Kinase C Epsilon Transgenic Mice.

79 citations , October 2003 in “PubMed”

In this study, PKCepsilon transgenic mice showed increased TNFalpha shedding during skin tumor promotion, which may contribute to the development of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

research Inhibition of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development in Protein Kinase C Epsilon Transgenic Mice by Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine with Hair Follicle Degeneration and Hair Loss

26 citations , June 2003 in “PubMed”

In this study, severe hair loss occurred in PKC epsilon transgenic mice treated with DFMO during skin tumor prevention, highlighting a link between polyamine biosynthesis, hair follicle maintenance, and metastasis suppression.

research Involvement of Follicular Stem Cells in Forming Not Only the Follicle but Also the Epidermis

1010 citations , August 2000 in “Cell”

In this study, researchers found that hair follicle stem cells in mice can generate both hair follicle and epidermis cells, highlighting their potential bipotency.

research Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Epsilon in Their Epidermis Exhibit Reduced Papilloma Burden but Enhanced Carcinoma Formation After Tumor Promotion

99 citations , February 2000 in “PubMed”

This study found that overexpression of PKCepsilon in transgenic mice reduced papilloma development but accelerated carcinoma formation in a skin tumor promotion model.