DEC1 is a potential marker of early metastasis in Oral squamous cell carcinoma

This study aimed to investigate the role of differentiated embryonic-chondrocyte expressed gene 1 (DEC1) in early oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis. This study collected normal oral mucosas (NOM) and OSCC tissues from Xiangya Hospital for immunohistochemistry to detect the expressions of DEC1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecules. Correlation analysis between the expressions of the cytoplasmic DEC1 and EMT-related molecules was performed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to estimate Recurrence-free survival (RFS). After knocking down DEC1, cell migration and the expressions of EMT-related molecules were evaluated in HN6 cells by cell scratch assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Immunohistochemistry showed that the subcellular location of DEC1 expression was different between OSCC and NOM tissues. The cytoplasmic expression of DEC1 in OSCC tissues was significantly higher than in NOM tissues, and its expression was highest in early OSCC patients with metastasis. In addition, the cytoplasmic DEC1 was negatively correlated with the E-cadherin and β-catenin, but positively correlated with the N-cadherin in OSCC and NOM tissues. In vitro assays showed that DEC1 knockdown inhibited cell migration and EMT in HN6 cells. DEC1 could serve as a potential predictive marker for early OSCC metastasis. •The expression pattern of DEC1 is different between in OSCC and normal oral mucosa tissues.•OSCC patients with high DEC1 cytoplasmic expression had lower recurrence-free survival.•DEC1 cytoplasmic expression in early OSCC patients with metastasis was significantly higher than that in other OSCC patients.•There were correlations between the cytoplasmic DEC1 expression and EMT-related molecules in tissues.•Downregulation of DEC1 inhibits the migration capability and EMT process in HN6 cells.