MicroRNA-31 Is Overexpressed in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Regulates Cell Motility and Colony Formation Ability of Tumor Cells

Abstract

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a malignancy of epidermal keratinocytes that is responsible for approximately 20% of skin cancer-related death yearly. We have previously compared the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of cSCC to healthy skin and found the dysregulation of miRNAs in human cSCC. In this study we show that miR-31 is overexpressed in cSCC (n = 68) compared to healthy skin (n = 34) and precancerous skin lesions (actinic keratosis, n = 12). LNA in situ hybridization revealed that miR-31 was specifically up-regulated in tumor cells. Mechanistic studies of inhibition of endogenous miR-31 in human metastatic cSCC cells revealed suppressed migration, invasion and colony forming ability, whereas overexpression of miR-31 induced these phenotypes. These results indicate that miR-31 regulates cancer-associated phenotypes of cSCC and identify miR-31 as a potential target for cSCC treatment.

Identification of miR-199a-5p target genes in the skin keratinocyte and their expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

“…Another study demonstrated that miR-365 promoted cSCC tumor formation by directly targeting NFIB [30]. MiR-31 also overexpressed in cSCC and it enhances cell migration and invasion capacity of cSCC cells [31]. In this study, we found the miR-199a-5p expression levels were significantly decreased in cSCC cells and cSCC tissues.…”

The major miR‐31 target genes STK40 and LATS2 and their implications in the regulation of keratinocyte growth and hair differentiation

“…These data support the idea that miR‐31 may play a crucial role in the biology of rodent hair follicles. miR‐31 is also upregulated in skin diseases such as psoriasis and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), indicating that miR‐31 plays a role in the response to restoring epidermal homeostasis or driving hyperproliferation . Interestingly, in other cell types miR‐31 can inhibit proliferation.…”

The role of miRNAs in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

“…MicroRNA‐31 expression was higher in cSCC than healthy skin and precancerous skin lesions . In addition, miR‐31 was specifically up‐regulated in cSCC cancer cells.…”