摘要

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulation of proliferation, migration, and invasion of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The present study assessed expression, functions and mechanisms of miR-20a-5p in the regulation of HNSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. miR-20a-5p expression in HNSCC cell lines and tissues was detected using qRT-PCR, while miR-20a-5p mimics and inhibitor were transfected into HNSCC cells for assessment of the effects using different assays (CCK-8, wound healing and Transwell assays) and expression of miR-20a-5p-targeting genes (using western blot and luciferase reporter assays). The data revealed that miR-20a-5p was upregulated in both HNSCC tissues and metastatic HNSCC cells. Upregulated miR-20a-5p expression in HNSCC cells promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration and invasion capacities, but resulted in downregulation of TNFRSF21 expression and in turn upregulation of C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) in HNSCC cells. Concordantly, knockdown of miR-20a-5p in HNSCC had the opposite results. In conclusion, miR-20a-5p functioned as an oncogene in HNSCC by downregulating TNFRSF21 and subsequently, upregulating CCR7 expression.

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