Fig. 8.

Summary. Graphic representation of the metabolic coupling existent in the epithelial stromal unit in OSCC as revealed by the findings of this study. In summary, our data demonstrate that OSCC cells are able to induce a unidirectional mitochondrial exchange and reprogramming in normal surrounding fibroblasts. We show here that, OSCC are able to metabolically reprogramme NOF, via Cav-1 downregulation, MCT-4 increase, increased l-lactate production and oxidative stress via induced hypoxia, mitophagy and mPTP opening. The decrease in AMPK activity and PGC-1α expression might involve in regulation of ROS that functions to maintain final energy and metabolic homeostasis