MiR-222 regulates the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting CDKN1B

Qun Chen; Wenjuan Wang; Yali Wang

MiR-222 regulates the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting CDKN1B

Am J Transl Res. 2022 Jul 15;14(7):5215-5227. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Qun Chen¹, Wenjuan Wang², Yali Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endodontics, Hu'nan Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University Changsha 410000, Hu'nan Province, China.
² Department of Dermatology, First People's Hospital of Chenzhou City Chenzhou 423000, Hu'nan Province, China.

PMID: 35958442
PMCID: PMC9360895

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish a causal relationship between microRNA (miR-222) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: The cell viability of each treatment group was measured by MTT. The effects of miR-222 on cell metastasis and apoptosis were measured by transwell and flow cytometry. The targeting relationship between miR-222 and CDKN1B was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot. Cell derived xenograft was further constructed to verify the effect of miR-222 on tumor growth by observing tumor weight and volume. The proliferation of tumor tissue was determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining.

Results: Compared with those in adjacent tissues and normal cells, the levels of miR-222 in OSCC tissues and cells were significantly increased (P<0.05). The miR-222 mimic group promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle and inhibited cell apoptosis significantly (P<0.05). The up-regulation of CDKN1B expression inhibited cell viability, migration and invasiveness and promoted the apoptosis of OSCC (P<0.05). The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay found that miR-222 was targeted to CDKN1B and could inhibit fluorescence activity (P<0.05). In vivo assays showed that miR-222 could promote tumor growth through CDKN1B (P<0.05).

Conclusion: MiR-222 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and cells and regulated tumor progression by targeting CDKN1B.

Keywords: CDKN1B; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; miR-222; tumor progress.