Identification of Down-Expressed CRNN Associated with Cancer Progression and Poor Prognosis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The prevalence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is increasing, and it poses a significant threat to human health; therefore, identifying specific targets for LSCC remains crucial.

Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was used to compare the different expression genes expressed in LSCC. Immunohistochemical assay and western blotting were used to analysis protein expression. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide)((4,5 Dimethyl thiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide)4,5 Dimethyl thiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) and 5-ethynyl 2'-deoxyuridine (Edu) assay. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell cycle. Cell migration was measured by wound healing assay and transwell assay.

Results: Our analysis revealed 36 upregulated and 65 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) when comparing LSCC tumors to adjacent tissues, with cornulin (CRNN) identified as a key hub gene connecting these DEGs. We observed a consistent downregulation of CRNN expression in LSCC cell lines and tissues and was associated with poor patient survival and the tumor microenvironment. CRNN overexpression was found to significantly inhibit cell growth, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion, while CRNN knockdown had the opposite effects. Additionally, experiments demonstrated that CRNN overexpression suppressed tumor growth in nude mice.

Conclusions: CRNN functions as a potential tumor suppressor and regulates important aspects of LSCC, providing valuable insights into the role of CRNN in LSCC pathogenesis and potential for targeted therapeutic interventions.