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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
Summary
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.
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