Circular RNA Circ_0008450 Regulates the Invasion, Migration, and Proliferation of Oral Squamous Carcinoma Human Oral Squamous Cell 3 Cells by Targeting miR-1294

To determine the role of the circ_0008450/miR-1294 molecular axis in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, the expression levels of circ_0008450 and miR-1294 in OSCC and neighboring non-cancerous tissues were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Human OSCC HSC3 cells were transfected with negative control (NC) small interfering (Si) RNA (Si-NC), Si-circ_0008450, micro RNA (miR)-NC, miR-1294 mimics, anti-miR-1294, anti-Si-circ_0008450, or anti-miR-NC. The activity of HSC3 cells was detected with the CCK-8 assay. The transwell assay was used to assess the invasion and migration of HSC3 cells. The targeted relationship between miR-1294 and CIRc_0008450 was detected with the dualluciferase report assay. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and Ki-67 (also known as MKI67). As compared to neighboring non-cancerous tissues, the expression levels of circ_0008450 in OSCC tissues were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while miR-1294 levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). As compared to the Si-NC group, cell activity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the numbers of migrating and invading cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the protein levels of Ki-67, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the Si-circ_0008450 group. The results of the double luciferase assay confirmed targeted binding of circ_0008450 to miR-1294. As compared to the miR-NC group, cell activity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the miR-1294 group, as were the numbers of migrating and invading cells (P < 0.05), and the protein levels of Ki-67, MMP-2, and MMP-9 (P < 0.05). As compared to the Si-circ_0008450+anti-miR-NC group, cell activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the Si-circ_0008450+anti-miR-1294 group, as were the numbers of migrating and invading cells (P < 0.05), and the protein levels (P < 0.05) of Ki-67, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Interference with circ_0008450 reduced the invasion, migration, and proliferation of OSCC cells on account of upregulation via binding with miR-1294.