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

ABSTRACT

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.