LINC01123 promotes immune escape by sponging miR-214-3p to regulate B7–H3 in head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma

Numerous studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are involved in the development and immune escape of head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the specific regulatory mechanisms by which LINC01123 regulates HNSCC and its correlation with immunity remain unclear. Therefore, this study’s primary purpose was to explore the mechanisms by which LINC01123 regulates the immune escape and progression of HNSCC. This study confirmed that LINC01123 is competitively bound to miR-214-3p, and miR-214-3p specifically targets B7–H3. The effects of LINC01123, B7–H3, and miR-214-3p on tumor progression, CD8(+)T-cell-mediated immune response, and the tumorigenicity of HNSCC in vitro and in vivo were examined through the downregulation or upregulation of LINC01123, B7–H3, and miR-214-3p. Our results indicated that LINC01123 and B7–H3 were highly expressed in HNSCC and are associated with poor prognosis in patients. Notably, overexpression of LINC01123 or B7–H3 or downregulation of miR-214-3p inhibited the function of CD8(+)T cells and promoted the progression of HNSCC. Therefore, LINC01123 acts as a miR-214-3p sponge to inhibit the activation of CD8(+)T cells and promote the progression of HNSCC by upregulating B7–H3.