Clarissa Araújo Gurgel

Clarissa Araújo Gurgel


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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JMJéssica Mariane Ferreira Mendes
Jéssica Mariane Ferreira Mendes
LVLudmila de Faro Valverde
Ludmila de Faro Valverde
MVManuela Torres Andion Vidal
Manuela Torres Andion Vidal
BPBruno Diaz Paredes
Bruno Diaz Paredes
PCPaulo Lucas Cerqueira Coelho
Paulo Lucas Cerqueira Coelho
CGClarissa Araújo Gurgel
Clarissa Araújo Gurgel
(1) Background: Activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway controls most hallmarks of cancer, and the hedgehog (HH) pathway has been associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development and progression. We hypothesized that fibroblast-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) acts in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, leading to the non-canonical activation of the HH pathway, maintaining AKT activity and promoting tumor aggressiveness. (2) Methods: Primary fibroblasts (MF1) were genetically engineered for IGF-1 overexpression (MF1-IGF1) and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated IGF1R silencing was performed in SCC-4 cells. SCC-4 cells were co-cultured with fibroblasts or incubated with fibroblast conditioned medium (CM) or rIGF-1 for functional assays and the evaluation of AKT and HH pathways. (3) Results: Gene expression analysis confirmed IGF-1 overexpression in MF1-IGF1 and the absence of IGF-1 expression in SCC-4, while elevated IGF1R expression was detected. IGF1R silencing was associated with decreased survival of SCC-4 cells. Ihh was expressed in both MF1 and MF1-IGF1, and increased levels of GLI1 mRNA were observed in SCC-4 after stimulation with CM-MF1. Activation of both PI3K-AKT and the HH pathway (GLI1, Ihh and SMO) were identified in SCC-4 cells cultured in the presence of MF1-IGF1-CM. rIGF-1 promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorsphere formation, whereas CM-MF1 significantly stimulated angiogenesis. (4) Conclusions: IGF-1 exerts pro-tumorigenic effects by stimulating SCC-4 cell proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness. AKT and HH pathways were activated by IGF-1 in SCC-4, reinforcing its influence on the regulation of these signaling pathways.

14 June 2014 in Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine
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CGClarissa Araújo Gurgel
Clarissa Araújo Gurgel
MBMarcilei Eliza Cavichiolli Buim
Marcilei Eliza Cavichiolli Buim
KCKátia Cândido Carvalho
Kátia Cândido Carvalho
CSCaroline Brandi Schlaepfer Sales
Caroline Brandi Schlaepfer Sales
MRMitermayer Galvão Reis
Mitermayer Galvão Reis
EREduardo Antônio Gonçalves Ramos
Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves Ramos