circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis alleviates oral submucous fibrosis through inhibiting fibroblast–myofibroblast transition

Background

circRNAs have been shown to participate in diverse diseases; however, their role in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a potentially malignant disorder, remains obscure. Our preliminary experiments detected the expression of circRNA mitochondrial translation optimization 1 homologue (circMTO1) in OSF tissues (n = 20) and normal mucosa tissues (n = 20) collected from Hunan Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, and a significant decrease of circMTO1 expression was showed in OSF tissues. Therefore, we further explored circMTO1 expression in OSF.

Methods

Target molecule expression was detected using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The migration and invasion of buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. The interaction between miR-30c-5p, circMTO1, and SOCS3 was evaluated using dual luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays. The colocalisation of circMTO1 and miR-30c-5p was observed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).

Results

circMTO1 and SOCS3 expression decreased, whereas miR-30c-5p expression increased in patients with OSF and arecoline-stimulated BMFs. Overexpression of circMTO1 effectively restrained the fibroblast–myofibroblast transition (FMT), as evidenced by the increase in expression of Coll I, α-SMA, Vimentin, and the weakened migration and invasion functions in BMFs. Mechanistic studies have shown that circMTO1 suppresses FMT by enhancing SOCS3 expression by sponging miR-30c-5p and subsequently inactivating the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. FMT induced by SOCS3 silencing was reversed by the FAK inhibitor TAE226 or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002.

Conclusion

circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis regulates FMT in arecoline-treated BMFs via the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Expanding the sample size and in vivo validation could further elucidate their potential as therapeutic targets for OSF.