Our previous studies have confirmed that α2δ1 has the potential to function as a cancer stem cell marker, and CACNA2D1 is the coding gene of α2δ1. But it is unclear how microRNAs regulate the expression of the CACNA2D1 gene in laryngeal cancer cells. We detected the expressions of α2δ1 protein, microRNA-107, and CACNA2D1 in 40 pairs of laryngeal cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells, TU212 and TU686, were cultured and transfected in the blank control group, the agomiR negative control group, the agomiR-107 group, the antagomiR negative control group, or the antagomiR-107 group, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to assess the regulatory effect of microRNA-107 on CACNA2D1. Then, the effects of microRNA-107 on the biological function of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, MTT, cell migration/invasion assay, and cell colony-formation assay. Our data suggested that the protein level of α2δ1, encoded by CACNA2D1, in laryngeal carcinoma tissues was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues, while the expression of microRNA-107 was significantly decreased in laryngeal carcinoma tissues. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that microRNA-107 bound to the 3′-UTR two positions (202-209, 902-908) of CACNA2D1 mRNA. Moreover, the expression of CACNA2D1 and α2δ1 protein were significantly decreased in TU212 and TU686 cells transfected with microRNA-107 expression vectors (P < 0.05), and proliferation, clone formation, migration, and invasion of these cells were also reduced. Furthermore, after knocking down microRNA-107, exactly opposite results were obtained. Overexpression of microRNA-107 can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells in vitro.

Background Fourth branchial apparatus anomalies, are rare clinical entities, and present as complex cysts, sinuses and fistulae in the neck that can be difficult to manage. Methods This is a retrospective review of a series of consecutive patients with fourth branchial apparatus anomalies treated at Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, from Apr 2014 to Nov 2019. Results Ten patients with fourth branchial apparatus anomalies were identified, including 8 patients with fourth branchial fistula, and 2 patients with fourth branchial pouch sinus. There were 6 female patients and 4 male patients. Their age was from 6 years old to 39 years old (average age 20.4 years old, median age was 21 years old). All 8 fistulae were on the left side, while 2 pouch sinuses were both on the right side. Pre-operative examination with fiberoptic laryngoscope, barium swallow X-ray, CT or MRI identified internal orifice at pyriform fossa apex in 8 (80%) patients. All patients underwent challenging surgical resection by the senior author. Intra-operative direct laryngoscope confirmed or identified internal orifice in 9 (90%) patients. The tracts were all followed to the vicinity of inferior cornu of the thyroid cartilage and the cricothyroid space. Complete resection of cervical lesions and their attachment to hypopharynx were achieved in 9 cases. No complication occurred. One recurrence was detected, in the only patient whose internal orifice could not be located pre- or intra-operatively, and the hypopharyngeal attachment could not be removed. Conclusions Direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia is a reliable method of diagnosis for the fourth branchial apparatus anomalies. Complete surgical removal of fourth branchial apparatus anomalies, including their hypopharyngeal attachment, is the treatment of choice, and the key to prevent recurrence.

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is an uncommon non-neoplastic lesion that typically occurs in the mandible and maxilla: however, its involvement with the temporal bone is rare. It is usually misdiagnosed as a giant cell tumor. Although regarded as a benign process, GCRG may be locally aggressive. In this paper, we describe two cases of GCRG of the temporal bone and review the pertinent literature published in English. The clinical course, histological evaluation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of GCRG of the temporal bone were investigated.