OSR1 suppresses oral squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and migration via the AXIN2/β-catenin pathway.

Objectives: The odd-skipped related transcription factor 1 (OSR1) gene exerts distinct regulatory effects on tumorigenesis and development in various cancer types. However, the precise role of OSR1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be elucidated.

Methods: GEPIA 2 and TCGA databases were utilized to analyze the OSR1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) patients and its impact on prognosis. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and RT-qPCR were employed to detect the OSR1 expression in OSCC tissues and cells. Lentivirus transfection was utilized for overexpression and downexpression of OSR1 in OSCC. CCK8 cell proliferation assay, colony formation and cell scratch assay were conducted to investigate the effects of OSR1 on biological behavior of OSCC cells. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were applied to investigate the regulatory mechanism of OSR1 on AXIN2/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Results: OSR1 expression was significantly decreased in HNSC patients, OSCC tissues and cells, leading to a decrease in 5-year survival rate. OSR1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells, and the AXIN2/β-catenin signaling pathway was inhibited. Silencing OSR1 had the opposite effect.

Conclusions: OSR1 functioned as a tumor suppressor gene in OSCC proliferation and migration by regulating the AXIN2/β-catenin signaling pathway.