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miR-21 inhibitor sensitizes human OSCC cells to cisplatin
Wei Wang1, Piao Songlin, Yao Sun
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China.
Abstract:
miR-21 as a tumor oncogenic molecule has been reported. However, whether miR-21 can affect the sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells to cisplatin remain unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the roles of miR-21 in the sensitivity of OSCC cells to cisplatin. RT-PCR assay was performed to detect the expression of miR-21 in 10 pairs of OSCC and noncancerous tissue samples. Then As-miR-21 oligonucleotides were used to down the miR-21 expression. Finally, the effects of miR-21 downregulation the sensitivity of OSCC cells (CA-27) to cisplatin in vitro were also detected. The level of miR-21 expression in OSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in corresponding noncancerous tissues. Down the expression of miR-21 could significantly inhibit growth and induce apoptosis of CA-27 cells. Moreover, downregulation of miR-21 could sensitize CA-27 cells to cisplatin possibly by increasing cisplatin induced apoptosis. This study demonstrated that combination of cisplatin application with miR-21 downregulation might be a potential strategy for the treatment of human OSCC.
Insights
MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is elevated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Downregulating miR-21 inhibits OSCC cell growth and sensitizes them to cisplatin by increasing apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Oncology
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is recognized as an oncogenic molecule in various cancers.
- The specific role of miR-21 in modulating the sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to cisplatin remains largely undetermined.
- Understanding miR-21's function is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies against OSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-21 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues.
- To evaluate the impact of downregulating miR-21 on the chemosensitivity of OSCC cells to cisplatin.
- To elucidate the potential mechanisms by which miR-21 influences cisplatin-induced apoptosis in OSCC.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure miR-21 expression in 10 pairs of OSCC and adjacent noncancerous tissues.
- Antagomir-21 (As-miR-21) oligonucleotides were utilized to achieve targeted downregulation of miR-21 expression in vitro.
- The effects of miR-21 downregulation on OSCC cell (CA-27) proliferation, apoptosis, and sensitivity to cisplatin were assessed.
Main Results:
- miR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues compared to noncancerous counterparts.
- Downregulation of miR-21 expression markedly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis in CA-27 OSCC cells.
- Reducing miR-21 levels sensitized CA-27 cells to cisplatin, potentially through enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- miR-21 is overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma and plays a role in tumor progression.
- Downregulating miR-21 demonstrates potential in inhibiting OSCC cell growth and inducing apoptosis.
- Combining cisplatin treatment with miR-21 downregulation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for human OSCC.
