Knockdown of Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2 T Abolishes the Progression of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Inhibiting NF-Κb Signaling and inducing Ferroptosis

Abstract

Background: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2T (UBE2T) has been reported to be associated with uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis in multiple cancer types. However, the understanding of its regulatory role in the carcinogenesis of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSC) is limited. background: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2T (UBE2T) has been associated with uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis in multiple cancer types. Methods: UBE2T expression in HNSC patient samples and the correlation between its expression and patients’ survival rates were evaluated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Cell survival and proliferation were investigated in UM-SCC1 and UM-SCC15 cells infected with control and shUBE2T lentivirus. The xenograft mouse model was established using UM-SCC15 cells to examine HNSC tumorigenesis with or without UBE2T. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and ferroptosis assays were carried out to disclose the interaction between UBE2T and NF-κB signaling and ferroptosis. objective: To study the understanding of its regulatory role in the carcinogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Results: The increased expression of UBE2T was noted in tumor tissues of patients with HNSC, correlating with a significantly reduced overall survival time in this patient cohort. Knockdown of UBE2T inhibited HNSC tumorigenesis and tumor growth. Mechanistically, inhibition of UBE2T suppressed NF-κB signaling and induced ferroptosis in HNSC. method: UBE2T expression in HNSC patient samples and the correlation between its expression and patients’ survival rates were evaluated using TCGA database. Cell survival and proliferation were investigated in UM-SCC1 and UM-SCC15 cells infected with control and shUBE2T-derived lentivirus. Cell line-derived xenograft mouse model was established using UM-SCC15 cells to examine HNSC tumorigenesis with or without UBE2T. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and ferroptosis assays were carried out to disclose the interaction between UBE2T and NF-κB signaling and ferroptosis. Conclusion: Our study underscores the multifaceted role of UBE2T in HNSC, illuminating its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. result: High expression of UBE2T were consistently observed in HNSC tumor tissues, which correlated with a significantly shortened overall survival time among HNSC patients. Knockdown of UBE2T inhibited HNSC tumorigenesis and tumor growth. Mechanistically, inhibition of UBE2T suppressed NF-κB signaling activation and induced ferroptosis in HNSC.