MicroRNA-1260a suppression inhibits the growth of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumour among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, with over 90 % cases histologically classified as squamous cell carcinoma. Despite advancements in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical techniques, the relative survival rate of patients with OSCC have shown little improvement over the past several decades. Two strategies can be considered to significantly improve treatment outcomes: early detection and novel therapeutic approach development for standard treatment-resistant OSCC. Here, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential therapeutic targets in OSCC. Microarray and RT-PCR analyses revealed miRNA-1260a overexpression in primary OSCC tissues. Subsequently, the introduction of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and synthetic tough decoys (S-TuDs) targeting miRNA-1260a significantly inhibited proliferation in human OSCC cell lines. Conversely, introducing the miRNA-1260a mimic into OSCC cells with high endogenous miRNA-1260a levels did not induce significant changes in proliferation. Finally, an RNA immunoprecipitation assay showed that miRNA-1260a targets tumour suppressor-like genes, such as ARHGAP24, CLMP, MOB1A, and PTPRK, in human OSCC cells. These results suggest that miRNA-1260a suppresses human OSCC proliferation, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. Further investigations of miR-1260a and its regulatory mechanisms may provide valuable insights into novel treatment strategies for OSCC, ultimately aimed at improving patient outcomes.²