Citation

Objective: This study evaluated the involvement of Rho GTPases proteins in the regulation of cytodifferentiation
of the SCC-4 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Methods: Cytokeratin and vimentin immunofluorescence
and F-actin staining, assays were performed with control cells and Clostridium difficile 1, 2 and 4 μg/mL Toxin A
(Rho GTPases inhibitor) treated SCC-4 cells on three-dimensional MatrigelTM for 24 h. Samples were analyzed by
using confocal laser microscopy. Significances were p<0.05. Results: In all concentrations studied, Toxin A treatment
decreased percentage of cytokeratin positive cells (p<0.0001), otherwise, it increased percentage of vimentin positive
cells (p<0.0001). There was a negative correlation between cytokeratin and vimentin immunoexpression (p<0.0001), the
higher the amount of cytokeratin, the lower the amount of vimentin. Also F-actin polymerization is affected by Toxin
A treatment. Conclusion: Although this is a preliminary study, our results suggest that Rho GTPases are involved on
regulation of cytodifferentiation of the SCC-4 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line.