Expression, function and clinical significance of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2025.03.004

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the expression level of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze its potential role in tumor progression as well as its clinical significance. METHODS: The expression level and prognostic relevance of VDAC1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were analyzed using UALCAN database. Genes associated with VDAC1 expression were identified using the database, and their expression levels and prognostic significance in HNSCC were analyzed. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to evaluate VDAC1 expression in OSCC tissues. OSCC cells were treated with a VDAC1 inhibitor to observe its effects on cell proliferation and migration. GraphPad Prism 10.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of the database revealed that VDAC1 was overexpressed in HNSCC tissues and was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis. High VDAC1 expression was correlated with significantly poorer overall survival and recurrence free survival in HNSCC patients. Additionally, VDAC1 expression was significantly correlated with several genes, including heat shock protein A4 (HSPA4), protein phosphatase 2 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP2CA), nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), and cell division cycle protein 23(CDC23). These genes were also highly expressed in HNSCC and were strongly associated with poorer OS in patients. IHC analysis further confirmed that VDAC1 expression was markedly elevated in OSCC tissues compared to normal tissues. Inhibition of VDAC1 significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells, highlighting its pivotal role in tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS: VDAC1 plays a critical role in the progression of OSCC. Its high expression is closely associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis, suggesting that VDAC1 may serve as both a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for OSCC. This study further reveals that VDAC1 may regulate tumor progression through its interaction with genes such as HSPA4, PPP2CA, NPM1, and CDC23, providing important insights into the pathogenesis of OSCC and the basis for precision therapy.

Key words: VDAC1, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Proliferation, Migration, Prognostic biomarker

CLC Number:

R739.8

Xu Chenghui, Yao Yanli, Sun Shuyang. Expression, function and clinical significance of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2025, 23(3): 228-235.

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