Open Access

ARTICLE

lncRNA HOXA11-AS Promotes Proliferation and Migration via Sponging miR-155 in Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Jianing Xu^*†, Qiyu Bo^‡, Xiang Zhang^§, Dapeng Lei^†, Jue Wang^*, Xinliang Pan^†

* Central Lab, Institute of Medical Science, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
† Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology (Shandong University), Jinan, China
‡ Department of First Operating Room, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
§ Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China

Oncology Research 2020, 28(3), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.3727/096504020X15801233454611

Abstract

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies in the head and neck. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA11-AS is proven to function as an oncogene and a therapeutic target in various tumors. Our previous study and others have demonstrated that HOXA11-AS is one of the most upregulated lncRNAs in HSCC. However, the role of HOXA11-AS in HSCC has not yet been identified. The current study demonstrated that the expression of HOXA11-AS was significantly upregulated in HSCC tumors and was positively associated with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, functional experiments revealed that HOXA11-AS knockdown suppressed the proliferation and migration potential in FaDu cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay combined with cellular functional experiments demonstrated that HOXA11-AS functioned as a molecular sponge for miR-155, and inhibition of miR-155 attenuated the suppressive effect of HOXA11-AS knockdown on the aggressive phenotype in HSCC. This study identifies a tumor-promoting role of HOXA11-AS in HSCC and suggests HOXA11-AS might be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for HSCC.

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