miR-454 performs tumor-promoting effects in oral squamous cell carcinoma via reducing NR3C2.

Background: Aberrant miRNAs expression regulates the occurrence and progression of a variety of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aims to illustrate the potential effects of miR-454/nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2) on the biological behaviors of OSCC cells.

Methods: GEO database was applied to detect and analyze the expression of miR-545 and NR3C2 in OSCC tissues. Two OSCC cell lines including CAL27 and Tca-83 were utilized to determine the function of miR-454/NR3C2 on OSCC cells biological behaviors. miR-454 and NR3C2 expressions were regulated by miR-454 mimic/inhibitor and pcDNA3.1-NR3C2/si-NR3C2, respectively. Cells biological behaviors were evaluated by cell proliferation, colony formation, and transwell assays.

Results: The data collected from GEO database indicated that miR-454 expression was upregulated in OSCC tissues; however, the expression of NR3C2 assumed a downward trend. In vitro experiments, the expression trend of miR-454 in OSCC cell lines was consistent with that of the trend in tissues, and the OSCC cells growth and movement abilities significantly decreased after miR-454 depletion. Through co-transfection experiments, we explored that the abilities of OSCC cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration obviously reduced after miR-454 depletion, but these phenomena were mitigated to some extent after NR3C2 silencing.

Conclusion: The study illustrates that miR-454 acts as an active regulator to facilitate OSCC cells growth, colony formation, invasion, and migration by targeting NR3C2, which may afford a novel perspective and possibility for the targeted treatment of OSCC.