Objective: Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2) was reported to be related to the tumorigenesis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC), which is a rare malignancy accounting for less than 1% of all oral and maxillofacial tumors. This research aimed to assess the molecular mechanisms of EphA2 in SACC.
Study design: The expression of long non-coding RNA human leukocyte antigen complex group 11 (HCG11), microRNA-1297 (miR-1297), and EphA2 in SACC cell lines compared with normal human salivary gland (HSG) cell line was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. EphA2 protein level was detected by western blot. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), colony formation, Transwell, and wounding healing experiments were applied to evaluate SACC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The relationship among HCG11, miR-1297, and EphA2 was confirmed by luciferase reporter, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation experiments.
Results: HCG11 and EphA2 were downregulated while miR-1297 was upregulated in SACC cells. EphA2 overexpression suppressed SACC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. HCG11 bound to miR-1297 to reduce the inhibition of miR-1297 on EphA2 expression. EphA2 knockdown reversed the suppression of HCG11 overexpression on SACC cell phenotypes.
Conclusion: This study identified the HCG11/miR-1297/EphA2 regulatory axis in SACC, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for SACC.
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