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MicroRNA-21 as a Regulator of Cancer Stem Cell Properties in Oral Cancer
Milica Jaksic Karisik1, Milos Lazarevic1, Dijana Mitic1
1Department of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 8, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Cells
|January 24, 2025
Summary
MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) fuels oral cancer stem cell (CSC) aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Inhibiting miRNA-21 in CD44+ oral squamous cell carcinoma cells reduces invasion and promotes apoptosis, offering a potential new treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Stem Cell Research
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is aggressive, with cancer stem cells (CSCs) driving poor prognosis and treatment resistance.
- CD44+ cells are identified as key CSCs in OSCC, exhibiting enhanced migratory and invasive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miRNA-21 in maintaining stemness of oral cancer stem cells (CSCs).
- To explore the potential of targeting miRNA-21 to overcome CSC-mediated therapy resistance in OSCC.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of CD44+ and CD44- cells from oral cancer cell cultures using magnetic separation.
- Inhibition of miRNA-21 in CD44+ cells via transfection.
- Assessment of cell migration, invasion, colony formation, apoptosis, and stemness marker expression (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG).
Main Results:
- CD44+ cells showed higher migration, invasion, miRNA-21, and β-catenin levels, with lower BAX expression compared to CD44- cells.
- miRNA-21 inhibition in CD44+ cells significantly reduced migration, invasion, and colony formation, while increasing apoptosis.
- Downregulation of stemness markers (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG) and CTNNB1, along with enhanced apoptosis via Bcl-2 downregulation, was observed after miRNA-21 inhibition.
Conclusions:
- miRNA-21 is crucial for regulating the aggressive properties of CD44+ oral cancer stem cells.
- Targeting and inhibiting miRNA-21 in CD44+ cells presents a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC treatment.
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