MIR4435-2HG regulates cancer cell behaviors in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell growth by upregulating TGF-β1

[Abstract] MIR4435-2HG has been characterized as an oncogenic lncRNA in several types of cancer, while its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC, a major subtype of oral cancer) has not been characterized. We explored the functionality of MIR4435-2HG in OSCC and investigated its interactions with TGF-β1. Blood samples were extracted from OSCC patients (n=44) and healthy volunteers (n = 38), RT-qPCR, CCK-8, Transwell assays and western blot were performed in this study. The results showed that levels of MIR4435-2HG and TGF-β1 in plasma were upregulated in OSCC. Across OSCC plasma samples, TGF-β1 and MIR4435-2HG were significantly and positively correlated. Overexpression of MIR4435-2HG resulted in upregulated TGF-β1 expression, while exogenous TGF-β1 treatment had no effect on the expression of MIR4435-2HG. Overexpression of MIR4435-2HG and exogenous TGF-β1 treatment led to promoted, while TGF-β inhibitor led to inhibited migration, proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Moreover, TGF-β inhibitor led to reduced effects of overexpressing MIR4435-2HG. Therefore, MIR4435-2HG regulates the behaviors of OSCC cells by promoting the expression of TGF-β1.