Lin28B/Let-7 Regulates Expression of Oct4 and Sox2 and Reprograms Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells to a Stem-like State

Lin28, a key factor for cellular reprogramming and generation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), makes a critical contribution to tumorigenicity by suppressing Let-7. However, it is unclear whether Lin28 is involved in regulating cancer stem-like cells (CSC), including in oral squamous carcinoma cells (OSCC). In this study, we demonstrate a correlation between high levels of Lin28B, Oct4, and Sox2, and a high percentage of CD44(+)ALDH1(+) CSC in OSCC. Ectopic Lin28B expression in CD44(-)ALDH1(-)/OSCC cells was sufficient to enhance Oct4/Sox2 expression and CSC properties, whereas Let7 co-overexpression effectively reversed these phenomena. We identified ARID3B and HMGA2 as downstream effectors of Lin28B/Let7 signaling in regulating endogenous Oct4 and Sox2 expression. Let7 targeted the 3' untranslated region of ARID3B and HMGA2 and suppressed their expression, whereas ARID3B and HMGA2 increased the transcription of Oct4 and Sox2, respectively, through promoter binding. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed a direct association between ARID3B and a specific ARID3B-binding sequence in the Oct4 promoter. Notably, by modulating Oct4/Sox2 expression, the Lin28B-Let7 pathway not only regulated stemness properties in OSCC but also determined the efficiency by which normal human oral keratinocytes could be reprogrammed to iPSC. Clinically, a Lin28B(high)-Let7(low) expression pattern was highly correlated with high levels of ARID3B, HMGA2, OCT4, and SOX2 expression in OSCC specimens. Taken together, our results show how Lin28B/Let7 regulates key cancer stem-like properties in oral squamous cancers.