Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR/microRNA-206 sponge regulates STC2 and further influences cell biological functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

It is essential to characterize underlying molecular mechanism associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify promising therapeutic targets. Herein, we explored role of homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in HNSCC to regulate stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) by sponging microRNA-206 (miR-206). HNSCC-related differentially expressed genes and regulation network amongst HOTAIR, miR-206 and STC2 were identified. Next, effect of HOTAIR on cell biological functions of HNSCC was identified after transfection of cells with HOTAIR overexpressed plasmids or siRNA against HOTAIR. PI3K/AKT signalling pathway-related gene expression was measured after miR-206 and STC2 were suppressed. Cell invasion, migration and proliferation were assessed. Finally, tumour growth was assessed to determine the effects of HOTAIR/miR-206/STC2 axis in vivo. HOTAIR specifically bound to miR-206 and miR-206 targeted STC2. Downregulated HOTAIR or upregulated miR-206 suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. miR-206 inhibited PI3K/AKT signalling pathway by down-regulating STC2. Besides, silenced HOTAIR or overexpressed miR-206 repressed the tumour growth of nude mice with HNSCC. HOTAIR regulated HNSCC cell biological functions by binding to miR-206 through STC2.

Li T ，Qin Y ，Zhen Z ，Shen H ，Cong T ，Schiferle E ，Xiao S ... -  《-》

Downregulation of LINC00460 decreases STC2 and promotes autophagy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by up-regulating microRNA-206.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide with unfavorable patient outcomes and relatively low survival rates. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in the progression of HNSCC. The present study aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of lncRNA LINC00460 in HNSCC by mediating microRNA-206 (miR-206)/stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) axis. The interactions among miR-206, LINC00460 and STC2 were identified, and the expression of LINC00460, miR-206 and STC2 in tissues and cells was determined. Gain- and loss-of function experiments were conducted to analyze effects of LINC00460, miR-206 and STC2 on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, autophagy-related proteins, and the extents of AKT, ERK phosphorylation. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and the production of autophagosomes after transfection were evaluated to further explore the role of LINC00460/miR-206/STC2 axis in HNSCC. LINC00460 and STC2 were highly expressed while miR-206 was poorly expressed in HNSCC. Besides, miR-206 was found to bind to both LINC00460 and STC2. After the transfection of HNSCC cells with miR-206 mimic or si-LINC00460, the expression of STC2, AKT, ERK, as well as the extent of AKT, ERK phosphorylation all decreased, which facilitated the apoptosis and autophagy of HNSCC cells. Collectively, the apoptosis and autophagy of HNSCC can be facilitated by downregulating LINC00460, which highlights a novel target in the treatment of HNSCC.

Xue K ，Li J ，Nan S ，Zhao X ，Xu C ... -  《-》

Antioncogenic Effect of MicroRNA-206 on Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Inhibition of Proliferation and Promotion of Apoptosis and Autophagy.

Li T ，Feng Z ，Wang Y ，Zhang H ，Li Q ，Qin Y ，Xiao S ... -  《-》

STC2 promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastasis through modulating the PI3K/AKT/Snail signaling.

Yang S ，Ji Q ，Chang B ，Wang Y ，Zhu Y ，Li D ，Huang C ，Wang Y ，Sun G ，Zhang L ，Guan Q ，Xiang J ，Wei W ，Lu Z ，Liao T ，Meng J ，Wang Z ，Ma B ，Zhou L ，Wang Y ，Yang G ... -  《Oncotarget》

Down-regulation of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR inhibits invasion and migration of oesophageal cancer cells via up-regulation of microRNA-204.

Oesophageal cancer is a progressive tumour with high mortality. However, therapies aimed at treating oesophageal cancer remain relatively limited. Accumulating studies have highlighted long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), microRNA-204 (miR-204) and homeobox C8 (HOXC8) in the progression of oesophageal cancer. Herein, we tried to demonstrate the function of HOTAIR, miR-204 and HOXC8 in oesophageal cancer and their relationship. Differentially expressed genes involved in oesophageal cancer were identified. The endogenous expression of HOTAIR and miR-204 in oesophageal cancer cell lines was altered to elucidate their effects and to identify the interaction among HOTAIR, miR-204 and HOXC8. We also explored the underlying regulatory mechanisms of HOTAIR and miR-204 with siRNA against HOTAIR, miR-204 mimic or miR-204 inhibitor. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were subsequently detected. Xenograft in nude mice was induced to evaluate tumourigenicity. miR-204 was down-regulated, while HOTAIR and HOXC8 were up-regulated in the oesophageal cancer tissues. HOTAIR could competitively bind to miR-204 and miR-204 could further target HOXC8. The oesophageal cancer cells treated with si-HOTAIR or miR-204 mimic exhibited decreased expression levels of HOXC8, Vimentin and MMP-9, but increased E-cadherin level. Silenced HOTAIR or elevated miR-204 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion, along with stimulated apoptosis of oesophageal cancer cells. In summary, our results show that lncRNA HOTAIR could specifically bind to miR-204 as a competing endogenous RNA and regulate miR-204 and HOXC8. Hence, down-regulation of HOTAIR could inhibit progression of oesophageal cancer, indicating a novel target for oesophageal cancer treatment.

Wang AH ，Tan P ，Zhuang Y ，Zhang XT ，Yu ZB ，Li LN ... -  《-》