MiR-223-3p inhibits proliferation and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting SHOX2

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the role of microRNA-233-3p (miR-233-3p) in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-233-3p in OSCC tissues and cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The target of miR-233-3p was detected and evaluated by L-test and Western blot assays, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of miR-233-3p on cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were discussed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), scratch-wound and flow cytometry test. RESULTS: MiR-233-3p was lowly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. Short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2) was predicted and verified as the downstream target gene of miR-233-3p. Inhibiting the expression of SHOX2 could significantly reduce the malignant behaviors of OSCC cells. The proliferation, migration and anti-apoptotic abilities of miR-233-3p overexpressed cells were obviously limited. However, the recovery of SHOX2 counteracted the beneficial effect of miR-233-3p. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-223-3p acted as a tumor suppressor gene in OSCC by targeting SHOX2. Our findings revealed that miR-223-3p/SHOX2 axis could be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC.