Smoking-induced control of miR-133a-3p alters the expression of EGFR and HuR in HPV-infected oropharyngeal cancer

Purpose Human papillomavirus (HPV) infected oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients have a better prognosis compared to HPV(-) counterparts. However, a subset of HPV(+) patients with a smoking history fail to respond to the standard of care treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. To understand the underlying mechanism driving HPV (+) OPSCC patient resistance to treatment and recurrence, we sought to identify and characterize the differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes in HPV(+) smokers and non-smokers. Experimental design MicroRNA expression analysis was performed using Nanostring in tumor tissues isolated from a prospective cohort of HPV(+) smoking (n = 9) and HPV(+) (n = 13) non-smoking OPSCC patients. Identified miRNAs of interest were further validated using qRT-PCR in cigarette smoke extract (CSE) treated HPV(+) and E6/E7 overexpressing HPV(-) cells. Results In comparison to OPSCC HPV(+) non-smokers, 38 miRNAs were significantly altered in the HPV(+) smoker patients cohort and out of that 9 were downregulated. Altered miRNA expression was also detected in the serum and metastatic lymph nodes of HPV(+) smokers versus non-smokers. Expression of miR-133a-3p was significantly downregulated in OPSCC smokers, HPV(+) cells and E6/E7 overexpressing HPV(-) cells treated with CSE. Reduction of miR-133a-3p induced the upregulation of miR-133a-3p target mRNAs EGFR and HuR. Conclusions Our results indicate that miR-133a-3p is a target of smoking-induced changes in HPV(+) patients and alters the expression of EGFR and HuR which may promote HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, future treatment strategies for HPV(+) OPSCC smokers should focus on EGFR inhibition and the development of selective therapies to target HuR.