Inhibition of microRNA-218 promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma growth by targeting GLUT1 to affect glucose metabolism

X.-J. Xu, J. Yuan, W.-J. Sun, Q.-Y. Chen, Y. Lin, L. Tang, L.-Z. Liang

Department of Stomatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, P.R. China. vp4492b685a@163.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is a key player in glucose metabolism that has important roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), while microRNA-218 can target GLUT1 to achieve its biological roles. Therefore, we hypothesize that microRNA-218 may target GLUT1 to participate in OSCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues were collected from OSCC patients, and blood samples were collected from both OSCC patients and healthy controls. Expression of microRNA-218 and GLUT1 in those tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. All patients were followed up for 5 years. Diagnostic and prognostic values of serum microRNA-218 for OSCC were investigated by ROC curve analysis and survival curve analysis, respectively. MicroRNA-218 knockdown OSCC cell lines were established. The effects on cell proliferation, glucose uptake as well as GLUT1 expression were detected by CCK-8 assay, glucose uptake assay and Western blot.

RESULTS: MicroRNA-218 expression level was decreased while GLUT1 expression level was increased in tumor tissues compared with adjacent healthy tissues. Serum level of microRNA-218 was lower, while serum level of GLUT1 was higher in cancer patients than that in healthy control. Serum microRNA-218 and GLUT1 can be used to accurately predict OSCC and its prognosis. MicroRNA-218 knockdown promoted tumor cell proliferation, increased glucose uptake and promoted GLUT1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of microRNA-218 can promote oral cancer cell growth by targeting GLUT1 to affect glucose metabolism.

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