MicroRNA-495 targets Notch1 to prohibit cell proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by regulating a variety of cancer-associated behaviors. Fully understanding the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of OSCC may provide novel promising approaches for the identification of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this particular malignancy. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to detect miRNA (miR)-495 expression in OSCC tissues and cell lines. The effects of miR-495 on the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 and Matrigel invasion assays, respectively. The mechanisms underlying the action of miR-495 in OSCC cells were also investigated. Results from the present study revealed that miR-495 expression was downregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines compare with in adjacent normal tissues and human oral keratinocytes, respectively. Exogenous expression of miR-495 restricted cell proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells in vitro. Notch1 was identified as a direct functional target of miR-495 in OSCC. Furthermore, Notch1 knockdown exhibited inhibitory effects, similar to those induced by miR-495 overexpression in OSCC cells. Restoration of Notch1 expression rescued the suppressive effects of miR-495 on OSCC cell proliferation and invasion. These findings suggested an important role for miR-495 in the regulation of OSCC cell growth and metastasis, at least partly by directly targeting Notch1. In addition, the findings of the present study revealed the potential of miR-495 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with OSCC.