The disruption of NEAT1-miR-125b-5p-SLC1A5 cascade defines the oncogenicity and differential immune profile in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Metabolic reprogramming sustains malignant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to overcome stressful microenvironments, and increased glutamine uptake is a common metabolic hallmark in cancers. Since metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as a new therapeutic target for tumor cells, understanding the regulatory axis of glutamine uptake in HNSCC and its potential downstream effects in its pathogenesis of HNSCC would be incredibly beneficial. Bioinformatic analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-HNSCC dataset and RNAseq analysis performed on HNSCC indicated that SLC1A5 was the most dysregulated transporter among the seven homologous glutamate or neutral amino acid transporters in the SLC1A family. To further clarify the role of SLC1A5 in HNSCC, we knocked down SLC1A5 expression. This knockdown decelerated cell growth, induced G0/G1 arrest, diminished tumorigenicity, and increased cleavage caspase3, LC3B, and intracellular Fe²⁺. Inhibitors against apoptosis, autophagy, or ferroptosis rescued the cell viability repressed by SLC1A5 knockdown. SLC1A5 knockdown also suppressed glutamine uptake, enhanced oxidative stress, and increased sensitivity to cisplatin. CRISPR/dCas9-mediated SLC1A5 induction conferred cisplatin resistance and reduced apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Reporter assays and western blot data demonstrated that miR-125b-5p targets and attenuates SLC1A5, while the si-NEAT1 increases miR-125b-5p expression. Analysis of the TCGA-HNSCC databases showed concordant upregulation of NEAT1 and downregulation of miR-125b-5p, along with SLC1A5 upregulation in tumors. Analysis of transcriptomic data revealed that tumors harboring higher SLC1A5 expression had significantly lower immune scores in CD8⁺, monocytes, and dendritic cells, and higher scores in M0 and M1 macrophages. Disruptions in immune modulation, metabolism, and oxidative stress components were associated with SLC1A5 aberrations in HNSCC. This study concludes that the NEAT1/miR-125b-5p/SLC1A5 cascade modulates diverse activities in oncogenicity, treatment efficacy, and immune cell profiles in head and neck/oral carcinoma.