Hypoxia amplifies arecoline-induced invasion and metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma – Insights into TGF-β1 signaling and collagen production

Abstract

Background/Purpose

Betel quid chewing is a major risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), largely due to arecoline, a key alkaloid. Hypoxia, common in the tumor microenvironment, also influences cancer progression. This study investigated the combined effects of arecoline and hypoxia on proliferation, migration, and protein expression in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC-25) cells, focusing on the TGF-β1 signaling pathway and type I collagen production.

Materials and methods

SCC-25 cells were treated with arecoline and incubated for 24 h under normoxia or hypoxia. Cytotoxicity assays and Western blotting were performed to assess cell viability and protein expression.

Results

At 2.5 μg/mL, arecoline enhanced SCC-25 cell proliferation under normoxia, while hypoxia suppressed this effect. Arecoline significantly promoted cell migration that was further amplified by hypoxia. Western blotting revealed that arecoline upregulated TGF-β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylated Smad2/3, and type I collagen. Under hypoxia, HIF1-α expression increased along with TGF-β1 and type I collagen, indicating that hypoxia enhances arecoline-induced collagen production through TGF-β1 signaling.

Conclusion

Arecoline stimulates SCC-25 cell proliferation and migration, with hypoxia amplifying these effects by promoting TGF-β1 signaling and type I collagen production. These findings suggest that betel quid consumption, in combination with hypoxia, may exacerbate the invasion and metastasis of OSCC.