L Wang1,2, Y Mou2, D Meng3, Y Sun2, X Chen2, X Yang2, C Jia2, X Song2, X Li1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China. 3. Intensive Care Unit, Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating hypopharyngeal cancer development. miR-203 has been previously shown to possess antitumour capabilities in many cancers, but not in hypopharyngeal cancer. DESIGN: Using human normal and hypopharyngeal cancer specimens, we explored the expression levels of miR-203 in the two groups and further correlated them with different stages of cancer and lymph node metastasis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Applying human pharynx FaDu cancer cells and lentiviral transduction technique, we investigated the effects of miR-203 on cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. Moreover, we studied the novel relationship between miR-203 and podoplanin (PDPN) in hypopharyngeal cancer. RESULTS: The downregulated levels of miR-203 in human hypopharyngeal cancer tissues were associated with advanced cancer stages and lymph node metastasis. High levels of miR-203 inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion of hypopharyngeal cancer cells. Further studies suggested miR-203 directly targeted and inhibited PDPN expression. PDPN silencing suppresses hypopharyngeal cancer cell abilities. In addition, PDPN overexpression was able to reverse miR-203 inhibitory effects on cell viability, migration and invasion. CONCLUSION: PDPN acts as an oncogene to promote hypopharyngeal cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. miR-203 directly targets PDPN to suppress its expression, thus exerting inhibitory effects on cancer metastasis.
OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating hypopharyngeal cancer development. miR-203 has been previously shown to possess antitumour capabilities in many cancers, but not in hypopharyngeal cancer. DESIGN: Using human normal and hypopharyngeal cancer specimens, we explored the expression levels of miR-203 in the two groups and further correlated them with different stages of cancer and lymph node metastasis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Applying human pharynx FaDu cancer cells and lentiviral transduction technique, we investigated the effects of miR-203 on cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. Moreover, we studied the novel relationship between miR-203 and podoplanin (PDPN) in hypopharyngeal cancer. RESULTS: The downregulated levels of miR-203 in humanhypopharyngeal cancer tissues were associated with advanced cancer stages and lymph node metastasis. High levels of miR-203 inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion of hypopharyngeal cancer cells. Further studies suggested miR-203 directly targeted and inhibited PDPN expression. PDPN silencing suppresses hypopharyngeal cancer cell abilities. In addition, PDPN overexpression was able to reverse miR-203 inhibitory effects on cell viability, migration and invasion. CONCLUSION:PDPN acts as an oncogene to promote hypopharyngeal cancer cell viability, migration and invasion. miR-203 directly targets PDPN to suppress its expression, thus exerting inhibitory effects on cancer metastasis.