AUTHOR=Noguchi Shunsuke , Matsui Asuka 

TITLE=microRNA-203 inhibits migration and invasion of canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting SLUG

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1239224

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1239224

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Objective</title><p>Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) occurring in the tonsils (TSCC) has a poorer prognosis than SCC occurring in other regions of the oral cavity (non-tonsillar SCC [NTSCC]) because it easily metastasizes to distant organs. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the migration and invasion of TSCC cells <italic>in vitro</italic>.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Materials and methods</title><p>This study focused on differential microRNA (miRNA) expression using microRNA microarrays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in canine TSCC and NTSCC tissues and cell lines. A target gene of the miRNA involved in cell migration and invasion was validated by wound healing, transwell, and luciferase assays.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>miR-203 expression was lower in TSCC tissues than in the normal oral mucosa and NTSCC tissues. Transfection of the miR-203 mimic resulted in the downregulation of mesenchymal marker protein expression and attenuation of cell migration and invasion in TSCC cells, but not in NTSCC cells. A dual-luciferase assay revealed that miR-203 directly targeted the mesenchymal transcription factor <italic>SLUG</italic>. SLUG overexpression enhances the migration of TSCC cells.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Our study indicates that the miR-203/SLUG axis may be involved in the metastatic mechanisms of TSCC.</p></sec>