Abstract
ABSTRACTLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of biomarkers which can regulate the biological processes of various human cancers. LncRNA HNF1A-AS1 has been reported in human cancers for its oncogenic role. This study focused on the biological function and molecular mechanism of HNF1A-AS1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The high expression of HNF1A-AS1 was examined in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Kaplan Meier method revealed that high expression of HNF1A-AS1 predicted poor prognosis for patients with OSCC. Results of loss-of-function assays demonstrated that silenced HNF1A-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of OSCC cells. Mechanically, HNF1A-AS1 was positively regulated by the transcription factor STAT3. Recently, Notch signaling pathway has been reported in human malignancies. In this study, we analyzed the correlation between HNF1A-AS1 and Notch signaling pathway. It was uncovered that the expression of Notch1 and Hes1 (the core factors of Notch signaling pathway) was negatively regulated by HNF1A-AS1 knockdown. Rescue assays further demonstrated the positive regulatory effects of HNF1A-AS1 on Notch signaling pathway in OSCC. In conclusion, upregulation of HNF1A-SA1 induced by transcription factor STAT3 promotes OSCC progression by activating Notch signaling pathway.
Highlights
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is widely recognized as the commonest oral malignancy
We examined the expression of HNF1A-AS1 in OSCC tissues and cell lines
Compared with that in the normal tissues or the normal cells, HNF1A-AS1 was expressed much higher in OSCC tissues or cells (Figure 1(a-b))
Summary
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is widely recognized as the commonest oral malignancy. According to the previous studies, the incidence of OSCC ranks eighth in the world range.[1,2]. There are about 540,000 new cases of OSCC are identified every year. Only half of these patients can survive for 5 years after the surgery. Despite advances have been made in surgery and medicine fields, the mortality of patients with OSCC is still high[1,3]. In some regions, such as the Eastern Europe, the mortality of OSCC is unceasingly increasing in the past two decades. OSCC has gradually become a major concern for social problem and human health[4]. The initiation and progression of OSCC are very complex. More and more molecular targets have been proved to be growth factors in biological processes of OSCC, the role of lncRNAs in OSCC still need to be further explored.[5]
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