A Novel LncRNA MASCC1 Regulates the Progression and Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Sponging miR-195

Simple Summary LncRNAs are involved in HNSCC carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis. In this study, we identified a novel lncRNA, named MASCC1 (Metastasis-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma 1), which was highly expressed in metastatic HNSCC and correlated with poor prognosis. In vitro, MASCC1 knockdown (KD) inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor sphere formation while promoting apoptosis. In vivo, MASCC1 KD suppressed HNSCC tumor formation and lymph node metastasis. Mechanistically, MASCC1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sponge miR-195, regulating Cyclin D1, BCL-2, and YAP1 expression. Moreover, miR-195 overexpression rescued the effects of MASCC1 overexpression on the biological behaviors of HNSCC in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that lncRNA MASCC1 functions as an oncogene and is involved in HNSCC progression and metastasis, providing a potential target for HNSCC treatment.Abstract The altered expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with human carcinogenesis. We performed a high-throughput analysis of lncRNA expression in strictly selected pairs of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and non-metastatic HNSCC samples. We identified a novel lncRNA, which was highly expressed in metastatic HNSCC, named Metastasis Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma 1 (MASCC1), for further study. Using qRT-PCR, we further compared MASCC1 expression in 60 HNSCC samples. The results show that high expression of MASCC1 in patients with HNSCC was related to poor prognosis. In vitro, MASCC1 knockdown (KD) inhibited HNSCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor sphere formation, while promoting apoptosis. In vivo, MASCC1 KD inhibited HNSCC growth and lymph node metastasis. Mechanistically, MASCC1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding to miR-195, subsequently regulating the expression of Cyclin D1, BCL-2, and YAP1. Moreover, miR-195 overexpression rescued the effects of MASCC1 on the biological behaviors of HNSCC. Taken together, our results suggest that MASCC1 is a novel oncogene that can predict the prognosis of patients with HNSCC and is a potential therapeutic target for HNSCC intervention.