Long non-coding RNA UCA1 mediates proliferation and metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells via regulating miR-185-5p/HOXA13 axis.

OBJECTIVE LncRNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) is involved in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), however, its specific mechanism is not fully clear. PATIENTS AND METHODS Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) was conducted to determine the expressions of lncRNA-UCA1, miR-185-5p and homeobox A13 (HOXA13) in LSCC tissues and cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, Transwell and flow cytometry, DIANA-LncBase V2, as well as Starbase, Targetscan, and Dual-Luciferase reporter gene system were conducted to detect and confirm the crosstalk networks among lncRNA-UCA1, miR-185-5p, and HOXA13. RESULTS The levels of UCA1 and HOXA13 were significantly higher and the expression of miR-185-5p was reduced in LSCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-185-5p was predicted as a target gene for lncRNA UCA1, while HOXA13 was the target gene for miR-185-5p. UCA1 siRNA inhibited the proliferation and invasion of LSCC cells, moreover, the proliferation and invasion of LSCC cells were suppressed by miR-185-5p mimics but were enhanced by miR-185-5p inhibitor. UCA1 siRNA and overexpressed HOXA13 reversed the promotive effects of miR-185-5p inhibitor and inhibitory effects of miR-185-5p mimics on cell proliferation and metastasis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The current findings reveal the important role of lncRNA UCA1/miR-185-5p/HOXA13 regulatory network in LSCC cells, and potentially provide new insights into the pathogenesis of LSCC.