Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis

Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and elucidate molecular mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by leveraging an integrated bioinformatics approach. Methods We conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing on OSCC and adjacent normal tissues to profile mRNA...

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Main Authors: ShiWei Liu, Jin Li, Qing Shao, JuFeng Chen, Chen Zou, YiLong Ai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02922-4
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author ShiWei Liu
Jin Li
Qing Shao
JuFeng Chen
Chen Zou
YiLong Ai
author_facet ShiWei Liu
Jin Li
Qing Shao
JuFeng Chen
Chen Zou
YiLong Ai
author_sort ShiWei Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and elucidate molecular mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by leveraging an integrated bioinformatics approach. Methods We conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing on OSCC and adjacent normal tissues to profile mRNA and lncRNA expression. Differentially expressed genes were identified and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were analyzed using STRING and Cytoscape software. Hub genes were identified using the Cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape. Results Our analysis identified 5362 differentially expressed mRNAs and 2801 differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO analysis revealed that dysregulated mRNAs were associated with system development and responses to organic substances. At the same time, lncRNAs were enriched in muscle system processes and cell–cell signaling. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted cancer-related pathways, including cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. The constructed ceRNA network highlighted key regulatory nodes, including hub genes IGF2BP1, CLDN6, and HLA-G, which may play pivotal roles in OSCC. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network and identifies biomarkers that could advance OSCC therapeutic strategies. The findings offer new insights into OSCC pathogenesis and potential targets for clinical application.
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spelling doaj-art-2cfe03beb60a49c8ba790b88bae14f222025-08-20T03:05:09ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-08-0116111110.1007/s12672-025-02922-4Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysisShiWei Liu0Jin Li1Qing Shao2JuFeng Chen3Chen Zou4YiLong Ai5Department of Stomatology, Foshan First People’s HospitalDepartment of Stomatology, Foshan First People’s HospitalDepartment of Orthodontics, Foshan Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan UniversityDepartment of Stomatology, Foshan First People’s HospitalDepartment of Orthodontics, Foshan Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, Foshan Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan UniversityAbstract Objective This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and elucidate molecular mechanisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by leveraging an integrated bioinformatics approach. Methods We conducted high-throughput RNA sequencing on OSCC and adjacent normal tissues to profile mRNA and lncRNA expression. Differentially expressed genes were identified and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were analyzed using STRING and Cytoscape software. Hub genes were identified using the Cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape. Results Our analysis identified 5362 differentially expressed mRNAs and 2801 differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO analysis revealed that dysregulated mRNAs were associated with system development and responses to organic substances. At the same time, lncRNAs were enriched in muscle system processes and cell–cell signaling. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted cancer-related pathways, including cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. The constructed ceRNA network highlighted key regulatory nodes, including hub genes IGF2BP1, CLDN6, and HLA-G, which may play pivotal roles in OSCC. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network and identifies biomarkers that could advance OSCC therapeutic strategies. The findings offer new insights into OSCC pathogenesis and potential targets for clinical application.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02922-4Oral squamous cell carcinomaLncRNAmRNABioinformaticsCeRNA network
spellingShingle ShiWei Liu
Jin Li
Qing Shao
JuFeng Chen
Chen Zou
YiLong Ai
Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
Discover Oncology
Oral squamous cell carcinoma
LncRNA
mRNA
Bioinformatics
CeRNA network
title Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
title_full Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
title_fullStr Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
title_full_unstemmed Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
title_short Uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncRNA-mRNA regulatory network analysis
title_sort uncovering biomarkers and pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma through integrated lncrna mrna regulatory network analysis
topic Oral squamous cell carcinoma
LncRNA
mRNA
Bioinformatics
CeRNA network
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02922-4
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