MicroRNA-26a inhibits proliferation and tumorigenesis via targeting CKS2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common head and neck cancers, with high mortality and incidence. MicroRNA-26a (miR-26a) is involved in the development and progression of several tumours. However, the roles of miR-26a and its target CKS2 in LSCC progression are not yet clear. The mRNA and protein expression was determined using RT-PCR and Western blotting assay, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8). Transwell assay was used to evaluate cell migration and invasion. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to determine the relationship between miR-26a and CKS2. In addition, a tumour xenograft model in nude mice was established to further determine the effects of miR-26a on tumourigenesis. In this study, we found that miR-26a level was down-regulated in LSCC tissues and cell lines, while CKS2 expression was increased. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 was suppressed by miR-26a overexpression, but enhanced by inhibition of miR-26a. Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that CKS2 is a direct target of miR-26a in AMC-HN-8 cells. Overexpression of miR-26a caused a significant reduction in CKS2 expression, and reinforced expression of CKS2 abolished the tumour-suppressive function of miR-26a. Moreover, miR-26a inhibited tumour growth in vivo. Taken together, miR-26a inhibited proliferation and tumourigenesis of LSCC via targeting CKS2 in vitro and in vivo.