Low LINC02147 expression promotes the malignant progression of oral submucous fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Key lncRNAs associated with the malignant progression of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were identified. METHODS: Key lncRNAs with sequential changes from normal oral mucosa (NOM) to OSF to OSCC were identified based on the GEO database. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to screen lncRNAs related to OSCC prognosis. Cox regression analysis was used to validate the independent prognostic value. qPCR was used to confirm the expression of the candidate lncRNAs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), nucleocytoplasmic separation assay, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA knockdown, western blot, and cell viability assay were performed to investigate the biological functions of the candidate lncRNA. A nomogram was constructed to quantitatively predict OSCC prognosis based on TCGA. RESULTS: Bioinformatics methods indicated that LINC02147 was sequentially downregulated from NOM to OSF to OSCC, as confirmed by clinical tissues and cells. Meanwhile, low LINC02147 expression, as an independent prognostic factor, predicted a poor prognosis for OSCC. GSEA and in vitro studies suggested that low LINC02147 expression promoted OSF malignant progression by promoting cell proliferation and differentiation. A LINC02147 signature-based nomogram successfully quantified each indicator’s contribution to the overall survival of OSCC. CONCLUSIONS: Low LINC02147 expression promoted OSF malignant progression and predicted poor OSCC prognosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02346-4.