Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection Up-regulates miR-221-5P in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

 Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection contributes to oral carcinoma, but its carcinogenic role has not been elucidated yet. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in carcinogenesis. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of HSV-1 infection on the expression of miR-29c, miR-221-5P, miR-21-5P, and miR-96-5P in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC).

 Twenty-five cases of OSCC and 25 samples of normal oral mucosa were examined in this study. The SYBR real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was completed to confirm the presence of HSV-1. The expressions of miR-29c, miR-221-5P, miR-21-5P, and miR-96-5P were measured using RT-PCR.

 The expression of miR-221-5P was significantly higher in OSCC with HSV-1 infection compared to non-infected cases (P=0.007). The expressions of miR-29c, miR-21-5P, and miR-96-5P were not significantly different between OSCCs with HSV-1 infection and controls (P=0.27, P=0.66, and P=0.23, respectively).

 HSV-1 infection had an up-regulation effect on miR-221-5P in OSCC. This finding proposes a novel mechanism for HSV-1 infection in the development of OSCC.