Elevated expression of let-7b-3p enhances aggressiveness of larynx squamous cell carcinoma cells

Abstract

Aims: Larynx squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is the second most common head and neck malignancy. While let-7b-3p has been shown to have a role in cancer progression in malignancies, there is no research examining the association between LSCC and let-7b-3p. This study aimed to investigate the expression status of let-7b-3p and the potential roles of this microRNA (miRNA) in LSCC. Methods: Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we examined the expression status of let-7b3p in 36 LSCC samples and the neighboring normal tissues. Then, the let-7b-3p miRNA mimic was transfected into Hep-2 cells via lipofectamine 2000 reagents. Cell viability was determined using the cell viability detection (CVDK-8) kit, and cell migration was evaluated with the scratch assay. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in larynx cancer GSE137308 and GSE130605 datasets were downloaded and reanalyzed using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO2R) tool. Potential target genes of let-7b-3p were investigated in the miRNA target prediction and functional annotation database (miRDB). Shared genes between geo datasets and miRDB results were identified and the relationship between these genes and LSCC was investigated in the literature. Results: We demonstrated that the expression levels of let-7b-3p was significantly upregulated in LSCC tumor tissues in comparison to the corresponding normal tissues. Mimic let-7b-3p transfection enhanced Hep-2 cell proliferation and migration. In vitro and bioinformatics analysis showed that overexpression of let-7b-3p can enhance the larynx cancer cell proliferation and migration through MYBPC1. Conclusion: It was evaluated that let-7b-3p/MYBPC1 axis could potentially affect the LSCC process. Let-7b-3p has the potential to be a biomarker for LSCC, therefore, the let-7b-3p/ MYBPC1/LSCC relationship should be elucidated with new studies.

Keywords

• Let-7b-3p
• larynx squamous cell carcinoma
• MYBPC1
• bioinformatics

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