LncRNA JPX overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma drives malignancy via miR‐944/CDH2 axis
Yuan Yao, Shaoshan Chen, Na Lü, Yue Yin, Zhiwen Liu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck cancer with high incidence. Numerous reports have elucidated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as crucial regulatory factors in various diseases including cancer. Nonetheless, the role of lncRNA JPX in OSCC is still not elaborated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In our research, we detected the expression of lncRNA JPX through qRT-PCR. Colony formation, EdU staining, Transwell, TUNEL, and caspase-3 activity assays were applied for estimating the function of lncRNA JPX in OSCC. RIP, pull-down, and luciferase reporter experiments were adopted to examine the interrelations between lncRNA JPX, miR-944, and CDH2. RESULTS: LncRNA JPX was discovered as highly expressed in OSCC cells. Silencing lncRNA JPX restrained OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Interestingly, lncRNA JPX bound with miR-944 and then augmented CDH2 via a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. Importantly, overexpressed CDH2 recovered the suppression of silenced lncRNA JPX on the oncogenic behaviors of OSCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: In short, lncRNA JPX contributes to OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via miR-944/CDH2 axis, which offers a new direction for potential targeted treatment of OSCC.