Hsa_circ_0002162 has a critical role in malignant progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through targeting miR-33a-5p

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of hsa_circ_0002162 on regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion, and investigate its potential target microRNA (miRNA) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Hsa_circ_0002162 expression was detected in human TSCC cell lines and human oral keratinocytes (HOK) cell line. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and candidate target miRNA expressions were detected in hsa_circ_0002162 knockdown-treated CAL-27 cells and hsa_ circ_0002162 overexpression-treated SCC-9 cells. In the rescue experiment, miR-33a-5p knockdown plasmid was transfected into hsa_circ_0002162 knockdown-treated CAL-27 cells, while miR-33a-5p overexpression plasmid was transfected into hsa_circ_0002162 overexpression-treated SCC-9 cells. Subsequently, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion were detected, and then luciferase reporter assay was performed. Hsa_circ_0002162 expression was increased in human TSCC cell lines SCC-9, CAL-27, HSC-4, and SCC-25 compared with HOK. In CAL-27 cells, hsa_circ_0002162 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis. In SCC-9 cells, hsa_circ_0002162 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation and invasion and suppressed apoptosis. Furthermore, a negative regulation of hsa_circ_0002162 on miR-33a-5p (but not miR-302b-5p and miR-545-5p) was observed. In the rescue experiment, miR-33a-5p knockdown increased cell proliferation and invasion, and decreased apoptosis in hsa_circ_0002162 knockdown-treated CAL-27 cells, whereas miR-33a-5p overexpression decreased cell proliferation and invasion, but increased apoptosis in hsa_circ_0002162 overexpressiontreated SCC-9 cells. The luciferase reporter assay showed the direct binding of hsa_circ_0002162 to miR-33a-5p. In conclusion, hsa_circ_0002162 had an important role in malignant progression of TSCC through targeting miR-33a-5p.

A Novel Circular RNA CircRFX3 Serves as a Sponge for MicroRNA-587 in Promoting Glioblastoma Progression via Regulating PDIA3

“…Furthermore, the inhibition of circ_0000326 weakens cervical cancer cell migration, invasion, and proliferation ( Wang et al, 2021b ). circ_0002162 promotes the malignant development of tongue cancer ( Zhang et al, 2021a ). Additionally, the overexpression of circ_0005927 restrains the development of colorectal carcinoma ( Yu et al, 2021b ).…”

Exploring the evolving roles and clinical significance of circRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…In addition, hsa_circ_0002162 exhibits increased expression in Tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Silencing hsa_circ_0002162 leads to an increase in apoptotic protein Caspase-3 expression 106 .…”

Emerging roles of circular RNAs in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancer: Possible functions and mechanisms

“…Functional assays showed that they can promote OSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT through miR‐431‐5p/ATF3 axis and hsa_circ_0008898/miR‐197‐5p/RHOA pathway, respectively [ 131 , 132 ]. Recently, Zhang et al found that hsa_circ_0002162 can promote cell proliferation and invasion, but repress apoptosis by targeting miR‐33a‐5p in TSCC cells [ 133 ].…”