BST2 regulated by the transcription factor STAT1 can promote metastasis, invasion and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma via the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the main types of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Although progress has been made in treating OSCC, it remains a threat to human health, and novel therapeutic strategies are needed to extend the lifespan of patients with OSCC. The present study, evaluated whether bone marrow stromal antigen 2 (BST2) and STAT1 were potential therapeutic targets in OSCC. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) or overexpression plasmids were used to regulate BST2 or STAT1 expression. Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were performed to assess changes in the protein and mRNA expression levels of signaling pathway components. The effects of BST2 and STAT1 expression changes on the migration, invasion and proliferation of OSCC cells were assessed using the scratch test assay, Transwell assay and colony formation assay in vitro, respectively. Cell-derived xenograft models were used to evaluate the impact of BST2 and STAT1 on the occurrence and development of OSCC in vivo. Finally, it was demonstrated that BST2 expression was significantly upregulated in OSCC. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that high expression of BST2 in OSCC contributed to the metastasis, invasion and proliferation of OSCC cells. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the promoter region of BST2 was regulated by the transcription factor STAT1, and that the STAT1/BST2 axis could affect the behavior of OSCC via the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. In vivo studies also demonstrated that STAT1 downregulation inhibited OSCC growth by down-regulating BST2 expression via the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.