OBJECTIVETo detect the biological influence to human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cells of micro ribonucleic acid-21 (miR-21).

METHODSReferring to mature miR-21 sequence, the sense and antisense oligonucleotide (sense-miR-21 and AS-miR-21) modified by 2'O-Me were designed to transfect into TSCC cells (Tca8113 and high metastasis cells) by liposome transfection technology, in order to establish an in vitro TSCC cell model. The expression changes of miR-21 in the transfected cells were detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The changes of cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell early apoptosis, cell migration and invasion capabilities were detected respectively by the technologies of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), flow cytometry, Annexin V cell early apoptosis assay, scratch assay and Transwell assay, to check AS-miR-21's effect on the biological characteristics of human TSCC cell lines.

RESULTSFor the TSCC cells, the antisense oligonucleotide of targeting miR-21 could effectively inhibit cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited the capability of cell's migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of miR-21 decrease after AS-miR-21 transfected into TSCC cells, and miR-21 can affect biological behavior of TSCC cells.