Objective: To study the role of Slit-Robo signaling in the proliferation of human mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells.
Methods: We measured the expressions of Slit2 and Robo1 proteins in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma Mc3 cells using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. To test the role of Slit-Robo signaling in the proliferation of the cells, we treated the cells with the monoclonal antibody R5 against Robo1 receptor extracellular domain and observed the changes in the cell proliferation by cell counting and colonogenic assay; the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the cells following the treatment was measured with flow cytometry.
Results: Treatment of Mc3 cells with the monoclonal antibody R5 caused significantly suppressed cell growth and proliferation and obviously lowered the expression of PCNA.
Conclusion: Slit-Robo signaling can suppress the proliferation of Mc3 cells possibly by up-regulating the expression of PCNA.