miR-195 Inhibits Proliferation and Enhances Apoptosis of OSCC Cells via Targeting TLR4

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Gene Regulation

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with complex molecular underpinnings.
• Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is implicated in various cancers, including OSCC.
• Understanding the role of specific miRNAs in OSCC pathogenesis is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional role of microRNA-195 (miR-195) in the apoptosis and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which miR-195 exerts its effects in OSCC.
• To identify the downstream targets of miR-195 involved in OSCC progression.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to assess miR-195 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in OSCC cell lines and normal cells.
• Western blotting to analyze the expression of phosphorylated proteins in the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway.
• Dual-luciferase reporter assay to confirm the direct interaction between miR-195 and TLR4.

Main Results:

• miR-195 expression was significantly downregulated in OSCC cells compared to normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).
• Overexpression of miR-195 inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis.
• miR-195 directly targets TLR4, and its downregulation in OSCC leads to increased TLR4 expression and activation of the NF-κB pathway.

Conclusions:

• miR-195 functions as a tumor suppressor in OSCC by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis.
• miR-195 exerts its antitumor effect by downregulating TLR4 expression and subsequently suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway.
• miR-195 represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.