Background: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumours of the head and neck. Recent evidence has demonstrated that lncRNAs play important roles in tumour progression and could be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets. The "competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA)" hypothesis states that lncRNAs competitively bind to miRNAs through their intramolecular miRNA reaction elements (MREs) to construct a wide range of ceRNA regulatory networks. This study aims to predict the role of ceRNA network in LSCC, for advancing the understanding of underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis.
Material and methods: In this study, the functions of lncRNAs as ceRNAs in LSCC and their prognostic significance were investigated via comprehensive integrated expression profiles data of lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, pathway, and Kaplan-Meier curves analysis were used to profile the expression and function of altered RNAs in LSCC.
Results: As a result, 889 lncRNAs, 55 miRNAs and 1946 mRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in LSCC. These altered mRNAs were mainly involved in extracellular matrix organization, calcium signaling, and metabolic pathways. To study the regulatory function of lncRNAs, an lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network was constructed. This ceRNA network included 61 lncRNAs, seven miRNAs and seven target mRNAs. Of these RNAs, lncRNAs (TSPEAR-AS, CASK-AS1, MIR137HG, PART1, LSAMP-AS1), miRNA (has-mir-210) and mRNAs (HOXC13, STC2, DIO1, FOXD4L1) had a significant effect on the prognosis of LSCC.
Conclusion: The results of this study broaden the understanding of the mechanisms by which lncRNAs are involved in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, five lncRNAs (TSPEAR-AS, CASK-AS1, MIR137HG, PART1, LSAMP-AS1) were identified as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LSCC. These results provide a basis for further experimental and clinical research.
Keywords: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma; The cancer genome atlas; ceRNA; lncRNA.