Antihypertensive agent losartan promotes tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation via EGFR/ERK1/2/cyclin D1 signaling axis.

Objective: To study the effects of losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, in the SCC4 and SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Methods: Cell proliferation was measured by MTS/PMS activity and trypan blue exclusion assays. The levels of the cell proliferation marker, cyclin D1, were analyzed by western blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by caspase-3 activation and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide double staining. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ERK1/2 was validated by western blotting.

Results: Moderate concentrations of losartan enhanced the proliferation of SCC4 and SCC25 cells. However, high losartan concentrations induced apoptosis in SCC4 cells. Losartan activated the EGFR/ERK1/2/cyclin D1 signaling axis, which in turn promoted cell proliferation. Afatinib (EGFR inhibitor) and U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) abolished losartan-induced cell proliferation. In contrast, UC2288 (p21 inhibitor) enhanced it.

Conclusions: Losartan exhibited dual effects on tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells. Moderate losartan concentrations facilitated cell proliferation, whereas high concentrations induced cytotoxicity in tongue carcinoma cells.