Histone modifications: Targeting head and neck cancer stem cells

Figure 2 Figure from Giudice et al[151] depicting chemically-induced chromatin acetylation leading to activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Inhibition of HDAC induces vimentin expression in HNSCC cells and EMT. Vehicle treated HNSCC cells (HN6 and HN13) present an epithelioid shape and express CK14. Administration of TSA result in acquisition of a fusiform morphology and expression of vimentin. Normal keratinocytes (NOK-SI) are not sensitive to EMT upon administration of TSA. TSA: Trichostatin A; CK14: Cytokeratin 14; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; HDAC: Histone deacteylases; HNSCC: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma; NOK-SI: Normal oral epithelial keratinocytes.