OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of Notch signaling receptors Notchl, Notch3 and its ligand Jaggedl, Jagged2 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).

METHODSmRNA and protein expression levels of tissue samples from 74 cases of tongue cancer patients and human tongue cell line Cal-27 were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Its relationship with cell proliferation and clinical pathology was analyzed.

RESULTSmRNA and protein expression were detected in tongue cancer tissues, adjacent tissues and cell lines. Notchl and Notch3 protein expression in tongue cancer was higher than the adjacent tissues. Jaggedl and Jagged2 protein expression in tongue cancer and adjacent tissues had no difference. Notchl and Notch3 protein had correlation with tongue cancer clinical staging. Pathway protein expression had no correlation with pathological grade, age, gender. Notchl protein expression in lymph node metastasis-positive cases was higher than in lymph node metastasis-negative cases. The expression of Notch3 and Jagged2 had correlation. Jaggedl expression grade in metastasis-positive cases was higher than in negative cases.

CONCLUSIONNotch signaling molecules have active expression in TSCC and may play important roles in tongue cancer development.