Long non-coding RNA-OIS1 inhibits HPV-positive, but not HPV-negative cervical squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating MTK-1

Long non-coding RNA-oncogene-induced senescence 1 (lncRNA-OIS1) is a novel lncRNA that is involved in oncogene-induced senescence, while its functionality in cervical squamous cell carcinoma is unknown. In the present study, 68 human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and 22 HPV-negative patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were recruited. Additionally, 40 healthy females were employed as healthy controls. Tumor tissues and adjacent healthy tissues were collected from all patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and blood samples were obtained. Expression of OIS1 was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of OIS1 for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical squamous cell carcinoma and normal cervical cell lines were used, and the effects of OIS1 or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4, (MTK-1) expression vector transfection on the proliferation of cell lines and MTK-1 expression were detected by CCK-8 assay and western blotting, respectively. It was established that a reduction in OIS1 expression level in tumor tissues was apparent only in HPV-positive patients. Serum levels of OIS1 were lower in HPV-positive patients compared with that in HPV-negative patients and healthy controls, and no significant differences were observed between HPV-negative patients and healthy controls. Serum levels of OIS1 were significantly associated with tumor size, but not distant tumor metastasis. OIS1 expression level was lower in HPV-positive cancer cell lines compared with that in HPV-negative cancer cell lines, while no significant differences were observed between HPV-positive and HPV-negative normal cell lines. OIS1 overexpression inhibited and MTK-1 overexpression promoted the proliferation of HPV-positive, but not HPV-negative cancer or normal cell lines. OIS1 transfection also decreased the expression of MTK-1 in HPV-positive cancer cell lines, but not in any of the other cell lines. Therefore, it was concluded that OIS1 inhibited HPV-positive, but not HPV-negative cervical squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating MTK-1.