MiR-1275 promotes cell migration, invasion and proliferation in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck via up-regulating IGF-1R and CCR7.

PURPOSE: miRNAs can play vital role in migration, invasion and proliferation in Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN). In our study, we attempted to validate the expression and function of miR-1275 in SCCHN, and we also identified the mechanism by which miR-1275 affects migration, invasion and proliferation of SCCHN.

METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to evaluate the expression of miR-1275 in both SCCHN tissues and cell lines. The role of miR-1275 in SCCHN cells was verified by cell function experiments upon transfection with miR-1275 mimics and inhibitor. Western blot analysis was employed to test the target gene expression of miR-1275. Survival analysis was made with the information of SCCHN patients expressed miR-1275 from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

RESULTS: miR-1275 expression was up-regulated in SCCHN tissues and advanced metastatic SCCHN cells. Increasing miR-1275 expression in SCCHN could promote cell migration, invasion and proliferation probably by upregulating Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and C-C chemokine receptor type 7(CCR7) protein levels, whereas inhibition of miR-1275 could lead the opposite effects, although others have already demonstrated that IGF-1R is a direct target of miR-1275. Survival analysis suggested that patients with lower miR-1275 expression may have a better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Herein we report for the first time that miR-1275 could act as a tumor-promoter in SCCHN possibly by regulating its target gene via novel miRNA mechanisms. MiR-1275 plays an important role in promoting SCCHN progression. The miR-1275 may be a potential therapeutic target for SCCHN treatment in the future.