LncRNA miR143HG suppresses miR-21 through methylation to inhibit cell invasion and migration

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA miR143HG in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and paired t test were used to measure and compare expression levels of miR143HG and miR-21 in LSCC and nontumor tissues. To analyze the interactions between miR143HG and miR-21, UM-SCC-17A cells were transfected miR143HG expression vector or miR-21 mimic. The effects of miR143HG and miR-21 overexpression on UM-SCC-17A cell invasion and migration were analyzed by transwell assays.

Results: We found that miR143HG was downregulated in LSCC and inversely correlated with miR-21. In LSCC cells, miR143HG overexpression led to the downregulated expression of miR-21, whereas miR-21 overexpression failed to affect miR143HG. Methylation-specific PCR results showed that miR143HG overexpression led to increased methylation of miR-21. Low expression levels of miR143HG were correlated with poor survival. Overexpression of miR143HG led to decreased, whereas miR-21 overexpression resulted in increased rate of LSCC cell migration and invasion. In addition, miR-21 overexpression led to reduced effects of miR143HG on cell invasion and migration.

Conclusion: Therefore, miR143HG suppresses miR-21 via methylation to regulate cell behaviors in LSCC.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 130:E640-E645, 2020.

Keywords: laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma; miR-21; miR143HG; survival.