Suppression of KIF22 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Xenograft Tumor Growth in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background. Oral carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer and is a serious public health problem, and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most common type of oral carcinoma. Kinesin family member 22 (KIF22), also called as kinesin-like DNA binding protein (KID), is a microtubule-based motor protein and binds to both microtubules and chromosomes, transporting organelles, protein, and mRNA. This research aimed at investigating the prognostic significance of KIF22 in TSCC. Patients and Methods. This retrospective research collected 82 paired tissues with TSCC. KIF22 protein expression level was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Suppression of KIF22 with shRNA in CAL-27 and SCC-15 cells was to observe cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Results. In TSCC tissues, the protein expression level of KIF22 was increased and correlated with tumor stage, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis (P=0.013, P=0.034 and P=0.015, respectively). Suppression of KIF22 inhibited cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. Conclusion. KIF22 might play an important role in the progression of TSCC and could serve as a therapeutic target for TSCC.