Bioinformatics and experimental insights into LINC01605 and the miR-101-3p/BIRC5 axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND

LncRNAs modulate several druggable and non-druggable genes through miRNAs sequestering in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study evaluates LINC01605 expression and its potential interaction with the miR-101-3p/BIRC5 axis in OSCC development.

METHODS

The OSCC sequencing data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Different online databases, along with correlation analysis, were employed to predict lncRNAs downstream miRNAs and mRNAs. Further protein-protein interaction network and functional analysis were conducted to discover the role of target genes. The expression analysis through RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence, as well as correlation analysis of the axis, was studied in 30 paired OSCC and margin tissues. ROC, Kaplan-Meier, and Chi-square analyses were used to estimate the diagnostic, prognostic, and histopathological utility of this axis, respectively.

RESULTS

After novelty checking and downstream finding, LINC01605/miR-101-3p/BIRC5 was selected. RT-qPCR showed upregulation of LINC01605, alongside the downregulation of miR-101-3p. The mRNA and protein levels of BIRC5 exhibited elevated expression in OSCC tissues. Significant positive correlation between LINC01605 and birc5, along with negative correlations between LINC01605-miR-101-3p, and miR-101-3p-birc5 was found. The combined ROC curve demonstrated a high discriminating potential of this axis in OSCC tissue diagnosis. Moreover, patients with high LINC01605 and low miR-101-3p levels had a significantly poorer survival, and this was associated with perineural invasion and invasion depth.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals a new axis related to OSCC and may provide beneficial diagnostic, prognostic, and potential therapeutic targets in this cancer.