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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

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MicroRNA-138 Abates Fibroblast Motility With Effect on Invasion of Adjacent Cancer Cells

Saroj Rajthala1,2, Himalaya Parajuli1,2, Harsh Nitin Dongre1,2

  • 1The Gade Laboratory for Pathology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Frontiers in Oncology
|April 4, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) exhibits tumor-suppressive functions in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Modulating miR-138 impacts CAF phenotype and OSCC cell invasion, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Aberrant micro-RNA (miRNA) expression is observed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
  • CAFs play a significant role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate miR-138 dysregulation in CAFs within OSCC.
  • Determine the impact of miR-138 on CAF phenotype and OSCC cell invasion.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed miR-138 expression in OSCC tissues and CAFs.
  • Utilized miR-138 mimics and inhibitors to modulate its expression in CAFs.
  • Analyzed CAF phenotype, OSCC cell invasion, and related molecular pathways.

Main Results:

  • MiR-138 expression demonstrated heterogeneity in OSCC tissues and CAFs.
  • Ectopic miR-138 expression reduced fibroblast motility, collagen contraction, and OSCC cell invasion.
  • MiR-138 inhibition yielded opposite effects, altering CAF phenotype-specific molecules and signaling pathways like focal adhesion kinase and TGFβ1.

Conclusions:

  • Despite heterogeneous expression, miR-138 functions as a tumor suppressor in OSCC-derived CAFs.
  • MiR-138 modulation influences CAF behavior and their supportive role in OSCC invasion.
Keywords:
cancer-associated fibroblastsheterogeneityinvasionmotilityoral cancer

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