Involvement of microRNA-124 in biological behaviors of laryngeal carcinoma via PLOD2 signaling pathway

J. Huang, X.-H. Zhou, S. Huang, S. Li, T.-T. Wu

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. tingtingwu0310@outlook.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of microRNA-124 (miR-124) in laryngeal carcinoma (LC) and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: LC tissues were collected from 98 patients diagnosed with LC in our hospital. Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was used to detect the expression levels of miR-124 and procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) in LC tissues and cell lines. Bioinformatics (TargetScan and miRDB) and double Luciferase assay were performed to predict and confirm the relationship between PLOD2 and miR-124 in LC, respectively. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and the colony formation assay were designed to measure the proliferation ability of the cells. Additionally, transwell and wound healing assays were used to explore cell migration and invasion.

RESULTS: MiR-124 was found significantly downregulated both in LC tissues and cells. PLOD2 was predicted and confirmed as the target gene of miR-124 in LC. By regulating the protein expression of PLOD2, miR-124 could significantly suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cells. However, the transfection of PLOD2 could partially offset the effects of miR-124 on LC cells.

CONCLUSIONS: MiR-124 was involved in regulating the malignant behaviors of LC cells. Furthermore, the miR-124/PLOD2 axis might become a potential target for the treatment of LC.

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