Identification of differentially expressed genes involved in the enhancement of thermosensitivity by HIKESHI knockout in human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells

HIKESHI has been reported to function as a nuclear carrier protein for Hsp70 under heat-stress conditions. Functional suppression of this protein has also been shown to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to heat. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhancement of thermosensitivity in HIKESHI-suppressed cells remain unclear. In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes associated with the enhancement of thermosensitivity resulting from HIKESHI knockout in human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells, using GeneChip® oligonucleotide microarrays. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma HSC-3 cells and HSC-3 HIKESHI-knockout (HIKO) cells (Thermal Med. 2024; 40: 17–29. https://doi.org/10.3191/thermalmed.40.17) were treated with hyperthermia (HT) at 42°C for 90 min, followed by incubation at 37°C for 3 h. As a control, each cell type was cultured at 37°C for 90 min and then incubated at 37°C for 3 h. Total RNA was extracted from the cells, and RNA quality was assessed using the Agilent 4150 TapeStation system. Gene expression analysis was performed using the Affymetrix GeneChip® system with the GeneChip® Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. Sample preparation for array hybridization was conducted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.