Glucose upregulates amphiregulin in oral dysplastic keratinocytes: A potential role in diabetes‐associated oral carcinogenesis

Abstract Background Compelling evidence implicates diabetes‐associated hyperglycemia as a promoter of tumor progression in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). Yet, information on hyperglycemia‐induced cell signaling networks in oral oncology remains limited. Our group recently reported that glucose‐rich conditions significantly enhance oral dysplastic keratinocyte viability and migration through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, a pathway strongly linked to oral carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated the basal metabolic phenotype in these cells and whether specific glucose‐responsive EGFR ligands mediate these responses. Methods Cell energy phenotype and lactate concentration were evaluated via commercially available assays. EGFR ligands in response to normal (5 mM) or high (20 mM) glucose were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR, ELISA, and western blotting. Cell viability and migration assays were performed in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors or RNA interference. Results When compared to normal keratinocytes, basal glycolysis in oral dysplastic keratinocytes was significantly elevated. In highly glycolytic cells, high glucose‐activated EGFR increasing viability and migration. Notably, we identified amphiregulin (AREG) as the predominant glucose‐induced EGFR ligand. Indeed, enhanced cell migration in response to high glucose was blunted by EGFR inhibitor cetuximab and AREG siRNA. Conversely, AREG treatment under normal glucose conditions significantly increased cell viability, migration, lactate levels, and expression of glycolytic marker pyruvate kinase M2. Conclusion These novel findings point to AREG as a potential high glucose‐induced EGFR activating ligand in highly glycolytic oral dysplastic keratinocytes. Future studies are warranted to gain more insight into the role of AREG in hyperglycemia‐associated OPMD tumor progression.