FIGURE 3 from INHBA is Enriched in HPV-negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Cancer Progression

INHBA expression in OPSCC tumor and cell lines and its correlation with EMT transcription factors. Correlation of INHBA expression with the expression of SNAI1 ( A ), SNAI2 ( B ), and TWIST1 ( C ) in OPSCC tumors (Ulm cohort). TPM = transcripts per million. D, Relative expression of INHBA mRNA in native UDSCC1 (HPV-negative) and UDSCC2 (HPV-positive) cells as determined by qRT-PCR and normalized to RPL30 and UDSCC1. Results are shown as mean ± SD of n = 6 replicates. INHBA expression was not detected in n = 3 UDSCC2 samples. Expression level between UDSCC1 and UDSCC2 was compared by unpaired t test with **, P ≤ 0.01. E, Representative Western blot analysis (of n = 3 replicates) showing INHBA protein expression in native UDSCC1 and UDSCC2 cells. Numbers below blots indicate relative INHBA intensity normalized to GAPDH. F, Relative expression of INHBA , SNAI1 , SNAI2 , and TWIST1 mRNA in UDSCC1 cells upon transfection with Mock siRNA [Mock knockdown (KD)] and two INHBA siRNAs ( INHBA KD1 and KD2) after 24 hours (t24) and 48 hours (t48). Target gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR and normalized to RPL30 and Mock KD. Results are shown as mean ± SD of n = 3 replicates. Expression level between Mock KD and INHBA KD1/2 was compared by unpaired t test with *, P ≤ 0.05; **, P ≤ 0.01; and ns, P > 0.05. G, Representative Western blot analysis (of n = 3 replicates) showing INHBA protein expression in Mock KD and INHBA KD1/KD2 at t24 and t48. Numbers below blots indicate relative INHBA intensity normalized to GAPDH.