ZNF252P-AS1 Enhances Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Expansion and Tumor Glycolysis to Accelerate Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development Via the Mir-377-3p/ Lactate Dehydrogenase a Axis

Background Laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC), the most common pathological form of laryngeal cancer, is one of the prevalent malignancies in head and neck. Long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ZNF252P antisense RNA 1 (ZNF252P-AS1) is a novel identified oncogenic promotor. However, none of research regarding ZNF252P-AS1 in LSCC has been reported. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ZNF252P-AS1 in LSCC. Results An increase in ZNF252P-AS1 expression was found in LSCC tissues. Besides, the frequencies of MDSCs were higher in bloods from LSCC patients than those from control subjects. Knockout of ZNF252P-AS1 markedly reduced the ability of LSCC cell proliferation and the growth of murine xenograft. Moreover, loss of ZNF252P-AS1 decreased MDSC and CD8 + T cell expansion. In addition, block of ZNF252P-AS1 weakened the glycolysis process of LSCC cells via regulating miR-377-3p and LDHA expression. Conclusion Our results indicated that ZNF252P-AS1 was important in LSCC development, and has been identified as an oncogenic promoter, making it a potential therapeutic target for LSCC therapy.