Investigating whether exosomal miR-205-5p derived from tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells stimulates the angiogenic activity of HUVECs by targeting AMOT

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Huang, Wenxi^{a; *} | Zeng, Zanwen^a | Xu, Yonghui^b | Mai, Zhibin^a

Affiliations: [a] Stomatology Department, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, China | [b] Thyroid and Vascular Department, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Wenxi Huang, Stomatology Department, Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China. Tel.: +86 13798682950; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNAs) regulate angiogenesis, they are not sufficient for the development of anti-vascular drugs for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). miR-205-5p is an exo-miRNA that is highly expressed in the saliva of patients with oral SCC. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to clarify the role and molecular mechanism of exosomal miR-205-5p in regulating TSCC angiogenesis. METHODS: Effect of exosomes derived from TSCC cells on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) function was determined using the CCK-8, Transwell, Transwell-Matrigel, and Matrigel-based tube formation assays. Protein levels were detected by western blot. The binding between miR-205-5p and the 3′UTR of AMOT was verified using a luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: Exosomal miR-205-5p (exo-miR-205-5p) promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HUVECs, increased the number of tubes formed by HUVECs, and increased the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 levels in HUVECs. Exo-miR-205-5p downregulated the AMOT level in HUVECs. Results of the luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-205-5p could bind to the 3′UTR of AMOT. AMOT overexpression blocked the effect of exo-miR-205-5p on HUVEC functions. CONCLUSION: Exo-miR-205-5p derived from TSCC regulates the angiogenic activity of HUVECs by targeting AMOT and might be a new molecular target for the development of anti-vascular drugs for TSCC.

Keywords: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma, angiogenesis, exosomal miR-205-5p, HUVECs, AMOT

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-220350

Journal: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 215-224, 2023