miR-211 promotes the progression of head and neck carcinomas by targeting TGFβRII

miR-211 up-regulation and transforming growth factor-beta type II receptor (TGF beta RII) down-regulation are associated with poor prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). miR-211 directly targets TGF beta RII with the miR-211-TGF beta RII-c-Myc axis promoting HNSCC progression. An inverse correlation of miR-211 and TGF beta RII expression was found in metastatic HNSCC samples. After 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide induction, more severe epithelial tumorigenesis was detected on K14-miR-211 transgenic mouse dorsal tongues. Human metastatic lesions and mouse tongue tumors showed increased nuclear c-Myc expression. A novel role for miR-211 in the regulation of TGF beta RII and c-Myc during tumorigenesis being revealed should help to develop anti-HNSCC therapies. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.