MicroRNA-138 suppresses invasion and promotes apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Liu, Xiqiang; Jiang, Lu; Wang, Anxun; Yu, Jinsheng; Shi, Fei; Zhou, Xiaofeng

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2009.05.030

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Volume 286, Issue 2 , Pages 217-222, 28 December 2009

MicroRNA-138 suppresses invasion and promotes apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Xiqiang Liu
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Guanghua School and Research Institute of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
Lu Jiang
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Anxun Wang
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
Jinsheng Yu
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Fei Shi
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Xiaofeng Zhou
- Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Graduate College, UIC Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Corresponding author. Address: University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry, 801 S. Paulina Street, Room 530C, Chicago, IL 60612-7213. Tel.: +1 312 355 0825; fax: +1 312 413 1604.

Received 31 March 2009; received in revised form 22 May 2009; accepted 26 May 2009. published online 22 June 2009.

Abstract

Metastasis is a critical event in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To identify microRNAs associated with HNSCC metastasis, six paired HNSCC cell lines with different metastatic potential were examined. Using microarrays, a panel of differentially expressed microRNAs was identified, including reduction of miR-138 in highly metastatic cells. Ectopic transfection of miR-138 suppressed cell invasion and led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Knockdown of miR-138 enhanced cell invasion and suppressed apoptosis. Thus, our results suggested miR-138 acts as a tumor suppresser and may serve as a therapeutic target for HNSCC patients at risk of metastasis.

Keywords: HNSCC, MicroRNA, miR-138, Metastasis, Invasion