Circular RNA hsa_circ_0011946 promotes cell growth, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating PCNA

Y. Meng, E.-Y. Zhao, Y. Zhou, D.-X. Qiang, S. Wang, L. Shi, L.-Y. Jiang, L.-J. Bi

Department of Stomatology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. luckymy81@163.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: The importance of circular RNAs in malignant tumors has been well concerned nowadays. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is diagnosed prevalently in the world. Our study aims to uncover the potential functions of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the level of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Hsa_circ_0011946 was knocked down in OSCC cells. Biological functions of hsa_circ_0011946 in OSCC were identified by performing cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. The underlying mechanism of hsa_circ_0011946 in regulating OSCC progression was explored by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay.

RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0011946 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues compared with adjacent samples. It was also upregulated in OSCC cell lines. The knockdown of hsa_circ_0011946 inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion in OSCC. The expression of PCNA was reduced via knockdown of hsa_circ_0011946. Furthermore, the expression of PCNA in tumor tissues was positively correlated to the expression of hsa_circ_0011946.

CONCLUSIONS: Hsa_circ_0011946 could promote cell growth, migration, and invasion of OSCC by upregulating PCNA, which may offer a new therapeutic intervention for OSCC patients.

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