MiR-1193 was sponged by LINC00963 and inhibited cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting SOX4

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a globally significant and aggressive skin cancer.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the development and progression of CSCC.
• Understanding the specific roles of miRNAs in CSCC is vital for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of microRNA-1193 (miR-1193) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).
• To elucidate the regulatory axis involving long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 963 (LINC00963), miR-1193, and SRY-box 4 (SOX4) in CSCC.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative assessment of miR-1193 expression in CSCC cell lines.
• In vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments to evaluate miR-1193's impact on CSCC cell proliferation and migration.
• Identification of miR-1193 targets and investigation of LINC00963's role as a miRNA sponge.
• Rescue assays to confirm the functional significance of the LINC00963/miR-1193/SOX4 axis.

Main Results:

• miR-1193 expression was found to be downregulated in CSCC cell lines.
• Overexpression of miR-1193 suppressed CSCC cell proliferation and migration, while its inhibition promoted these processes.
• miR-1193 directly targets and inhibits the expression of SRY-box 4 (SOX4).
• LINC00963 acts as a molecular sponge for miR-1193, leading to increased SOX4 expression and promoting CSCC progression.

Conclusions:

• The study identified and characterized the LINC00963/miR-1193/SOX4 regulatory axis in CSCC.
• miR-1193 functions as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting CSCC cell proliferation and migration via the miR-1193/SOX4 pathway.
• This axis represents a novel mechanism in CSCC pathogenesis and suggests miR-1193 as a potential therapeutic target for managing CSCC.