Role of miR-486-5p in apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by hydrogen peroxide

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) in the apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). METHODS: The hMSCs were cultured in vitro and exposed to serum-free medium and H₂O₂ (10 mmol/L). The changes of miR-486-5p expression in oxidative stress-related apoptosis of hMSCs were measured by real-time PCR. The hMSCs were transfected with miR-486-5p mimic or inhibitor at concentration of 30 nmol/L by Lipofectamine RNAiMAX. The effect of miR-486-5p on H₂O₂-induced decrease in cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry were applied to determine the role of miR-486-5p in the apoptosis of hMSCs. The protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was determined using a caspase-3 activity kit. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the expression of miR-486-5p significantly decreased after treated with H₂O₂ (P<0.05). In addition, over-expression of miR-486-5p in the hMSCs reduced the cell viability, accelerated apoptosis, down-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio, caspase-3 enzyme precursor content and phosphorylation of Akt, and activated caspase-3 activity. Conversely, down-regulation of miR-486-5p significantly inhibited H₂O₂-induced cell apoptosis and the caspase-3 activity, increased cell viability and up-regulated Bcl-2/Bax ratio and phosphorylation level of Akt. CONCLUSION: Over-expression of miR-486-5p promotes H₂O₂-induced hMSCs apoptosis, and repression of miR-486-5p protects hMSCs from H₂O₂-induced cellular apoptosis, which may be mediated by regulating Akt signaling pathway.     

miR-486 targeted regulation of PTEN on LPS-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell A549

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-486 (miR-486) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell A549. METHODS: A549 cells were treated with LPS, and the expression of miR-486 was detected by RT-qPCR. miR-486 mimics were transfected into LPS-induced A549 cells, and RT-qPCR was used to detect the up-regulation effect. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry and the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 (C-caspase-3) and C-caspase-9 were determined by Western blot. The target gene prediction software was used to predict the target gene PTEN of miR-486. Luciferase reporter vector was used to identify the target relationship. pcDNA 3.1-PTEN and miR-486 mimics were co-transfected into A549 cells to detect the effect of PTEN up-regulation on apoptosis of miR-486 mimics transfected A549 cells stimulated with LPS. RESULTS: After LPS treatment, the expression of miR-486 in A549 cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Transfection of miR-486 mimics significantly up-regulated the expression of miR-486 in A549 cells stimulated with LPS (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of A549 cells and the protein levels of C-caspase-3 and C-caspase-9 were significantly increased after LPS treatment (P<0.05). Up-regulation of miR-486 significantly down-regulated LPS-induced apoptosis of A549 cells (P<0.05). The expression of PTEN was negatively regulated by miR-486. Transfection of pcDNA 3.1-PTEN significantly increased the expression of PTEN, promoted the apoptosis and increased the protein levels of C-caspase-3 and C-caspase-9 in A549 cells stimulated with LPS after co-transfection with miR-486 mimics(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-486 inhibits PTEN expression and reduces LPS-induced apoptosis of A549 cells.     

Effect of miR-7-5p targeting Itch gene on insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells

AIM:To preliminarily explore the relationship between microRNA-7-5p (miR-7-5p) and Itch gene and their relationship with insulin resistance by establishing insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells in vitro for detecting differential expression of miR-7-5p and its predicted target gene Itch in the state of insulin resistance. METHODS:The insulin resistance model of HepG2 cells was induced by suitable concentration of plamitic acid. The possible target genes and the associated signaling pathways of miR-7-5p were predicted based on bioinformatic analysis. The expression levels of miR-7-5p and Itch were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot in the HepG2 cells with insulin resistance. RESULTS:The HepG2 cell model of insulin resistance was successfully induced by treatment with 0.25 mmol/L palmitic acid for 24 h. Compared with negative control group, the expression level of miR-7-5p detected by RT-qPCR in insulin resistance group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Bioinformatic analysis showed that a considerable number of target genes of miR-7-5p were enriched in the ubiquitin proteasome system. Among them, E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch gene was the most relevant target gene to insulin resistance. The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of Itch was up-regulated in the HepG2 cells under insulin resistance (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:miR-7-5p may be involved in the pathophysiological process of insulin resistance, which may directly or indirectly affect the normal transduction of insulin signaling pathway by targeting Itch gene.     

Celastrol blocks cell cycle of A549 cells by regulating miR-17-5p/miR-155-5p and targeting cyclin D1

AIM: To investigate the effect of celastrol on the cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and to probe into its mechanisms.METHODS: A549 cells were exposed to celastrol at gradient concentrations. The cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of celastrol was screened. The A549 cells were treated with celastrol at LC₅₀, and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot, and the expression of microRNA (miR)-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between cyclin D1 and miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p was predicted by bioinformatics software. After miR-17-5p mimics/miR-155-5p mimics/mutant-miR-17-5p/mutant-miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR were cotransfected into the A549 cells, the changes of GFP expression were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Finally, after miR-17-5p mimics or miR-155-5p mimics were transfeced into the A549 cells, the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR, and the protein level of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: With the increasing concentration of celastrol, the viability inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of the A549 cells were increased, indicating that celastrol effectively inhibited the growth of A549 cells and induced apoptosis. The LC₅₀ of celastrol was almost 3 μmol/L. After treatment with celastrol at LC₅₀, the A549 cell cycle was arrested at G₁ phase, the protein expression of cyclin D1 was down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p were significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of bioinformatics software prediction indicated that there were binding sites for miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p in the 3'-UTR of cyclin D1. After cotransfected with miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR into the A549 cells, the expression of GFP declined (P<0.05). After miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p mimics were transfected into A549 cells, the results of real-time PCR showed this treatment significantly increased the miRNA expression (P<0.01), and the results of Western blot showed the transfection inhibited cyclin D1 expression (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Celastrol blocks the A549 cells at G₁ phase, inhibits the viability and induces apoptosis, which may be caused by up-regulating the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p, and then down-regulating cyclin D1 expression. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with celastrol.     

miR-708-5p accelerates migration of human mesenchymal stem cells by repressing TMEM88 expression

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-708-5p(miR-708-5p) on the migration of human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs). METHODS: The expression of miR-708-5p was determined by miRNA arrays and real-time PCR. By transfection of miR-708-5p mimic or inhibitor, the up-regulation or down-regulation of miR-708-5p expression in hMSCs was evaluated. The cell scratch and Transwell tests were used to detect the migration capability of hMSCs. The effects of transmembrane protein 88(TMEM88), a miR-708-5p target gene, on β-catenin expression and migration of hMSCs were detected. RESULTS: The expression of miR-708-5p was down-regulated in the old hMSCs compared with the young hMSCs. Up-regulation of miR-708-5p resulted in increasing migration of hMSCs. Conversely, down-regulation of miR-708-5p resulted in decreasing cell migration. The expression of TMEM88 was up-regulated in the old hMSCs compared with the young hMSCs, while the expression of β-catenin was down-regulated. Directly repression of TMEM88 expression increased the β-catenin expression and migration of hMSCs. The regulation of miR-708-5p on hMSCs was attenuated by inhibiting the expression of miR-708-5p and TMEM88 together. CONCLUSION: miR-708-5p increases β-catenin expression and Wnt/β-catenin activity by repressing TMEM88, thus enhancing the migration of hMSCs.     

Effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on viability and apoptosis of LPS-induced vascular endothelial cells by regulating miR-363-3p expression

AIM To investigate the mechanism of long noncoding RNA （lncRNA） FEZF1-AS1 regulating microRNA-363-3p （miR-363-3p） on the viability and apoptosis of lipopolysaocharide （LPS）-induced vascular endothelial cells. METHODS Human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were cultured in vitro. pcDNA-NC, pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1, anti-miR-NC, anti-miR-363-3p, miR-NC and miR-363-3p mimics were transfected into the HUVECs and LPS stimulation was applied for 24 h. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to verify the targeted regulation of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p. Western blot was used to determined the expression of cyclin D1, Ki67 and cleaved caspase-3. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression level of FEZF1-AS1 in LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the expression level of miR-363-3p was significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with pcDNA-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with anti-miR-NC+LPS group, the cell viability in anti-miR-363-3p+LPS group was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Dual-luciferase reporter experiment confirmed that FEZF1-AS1 targeted miR-363-3p. Compared with miR-NC+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group, the cell viability in miR-363-3p+pcDNA-FEZF1-AS1+LPS group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）, the apoptotic rate was significantly increased （P<0.05）, the protein levels of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly reduced （P<0.05）, and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Over-expression of FEZF1-AS1 promotes the viability and inhibits apoptosis of LPS induced vascular endothelial cells by inhibiting the expression of miR-363-3p.     

Effects of lupeol and miR-145-5p on proliferation and apoptosis of prostate carcinoma cells

AIM To investigate the effect of lupeol combined with microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. METHODS After hsa-miR-145-5p and lupeol were applied to LNCaP cells for 24, 48 and 72 h, the cell viability inhibitory rate was detected by MTT assay. PI single staining plus flow cytometry was used to detect the cycle distribution. The flow cytometry with annexin V/PI double staining and TUNEL experiment were used to detect apoptosis. Transwell method was used to detect cell migration and invasion abilities. Wound healing experiment was used to detect cell migration ability. The cell colony formation assay was used to calculate the colony formation inhibitory rate. RESULTS The cells in cell control group, non-specific control group and solvent group did not show effective LNCaP cell viability inhibition, migration inhibition and invasion inhibition, while the viability, migration and invasion abilities were significantly inhibited, and early apoptosis in vitro were induced in hsa-miR-145-5p group and lupeol group. In particular, the combination (hsa-miR-145-5p+lupeol) group showed more effective proliferation inhibition than the single-drug groups. CONCLUSION Both hsa-miR-145-5p and lupeol inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of LNCaP cells, and induce early apoptosis in vitro. Lupeol enhances the proliferation-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of hsa-miR-145-5p on LNCaP cells.     

Changes of miR-155-5p in serum of cervical cancer patients and effects of miR-155-5p on cervical cancer cells

AIM:To detect the serum level of miR-155-5p in the patients with different cervical diseases, and to analyze its effects on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. METHODS:SYBR Green I real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the level of miR-155-5p in the serum of the patients with different cervical diseases. miR-155-5p mimic or inhibitor was used to increase or decrease the expression of miR-155-5p in cervical cancer cells. The proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS:The serum level of miR-155-5p in cervical cancer group was higher than that in cervicitis group and healthy group. No statistical difference of the serum miR-155-5p level between cervical intraepithelial neoplasia group and cervical cancer group was observed. Compared with blank group, liposome group and negative control group, the proportion of S-phase cells increased and apoptotic cells decreased in SiHa cells transfected with 100 nmol/L and 200 nmol/L miR-155-5p mimic. The proportion of G2/M-phase cells increased significantly in SiHa cells transfected with 100 nmol/L and 200 nmol/L miR-155-5p inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy controls, the serum level of miR-155-5p in the cervical cancer patients increases, and may act as a novel tumor molecular marker for diagnosis of cervical cancer. miR-155-5p has no significant effect on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HeLa cell. miR-155-5p may promote SiHa cells to enter S phase and inhibit the apoptosis of SiHa cells.     

Role of microRNA-126-5p in myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin

AIM: To observe the expression of microRNA-126-5p during myocardial injury and its role in myocardial cell injury induced by adriamycin (also called doxorubicin, DOX). METHODS: The BALB/c mouse model of DOX-induced acute and chronic myocardial injury was established via intraperitoneal injection of DOX. HE staining was applied to observe the morphological changes of myocardial tissues. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum was detected and PowerLab system was used to detect the influence of DOX on the changes of ±dp/dt_max. The expression of microRNA-126-5p in injured myocardial tissues and the H9c2 cells exposed to DOX was detected by real-time PCR. Gain-and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to detect the role of microRNA-126-5p in H9c2 cells treated with DOX on LDH release and caspase-3 activation. RESULTS: In acute and chronic DOX myocardial damage models in mice, HE staining showed disarranged myocardial fibers, dissolved myofibril and inflammatory cell infiltration. Higher serum LDH level and lower ±dp/dt_max in DOX-treated mice than those in normal mice were found. Compared with the normal mice, the expression level of microRNA-126-5p was significant increased in the myocardium with DOX-induced injury. Similarly, the expression level of microRNA-126-5p was significant increased in the H9c2 cells treated with DOX. In addition, over-expression of microRNA-126-5p decreased cell viability and promoted apoptosis, while microRNA-126-5p ablation promoted the viability and inhibited the apoptosis of H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION: The microRNA-126-5p expression is up-regulated in myocardial injury induced by DOX, and microRNA-126-5p inhibits cell viability and promotes apoptosis induced by DOX.     

Expression of miR-625-3p in colorectal carcinoma tissues and cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of microRNA-625-3p (miR-625-3p) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the levels of miR-625-3p expression in different CRC cell lines, CRC tissues and pair-matched adjacent normal tissues. The relationships between the expression levels of miR-625-3p and the patients' clinicopathological parameters were estimated. The effects of miR-625-3p on the apoptosis and the cell mitotic cycle of CRC cells were analyzed with propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. The effect of miR-625-3p on the apoptosis-related proteins was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-625-3p in the CRC tissues was higher than that in the pair-matched adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). The expression of miR-625-3p in the CRC tumor tissues was significantly correlated with the tumor infiltrative depth, TNM stage and distant metastasis (P<0.05). The expression levels of miR-625-3p in CRC SW620 cells were higher than that in SW480 cells. The CRC cell mitotic cycle was significantly inhibited and cell apoptosis was significantly promoted when the expression of miR-625-3p was inhibited (P<0.05). The expression of Bax protein didn't change and the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased after miR-625-3p mimics were transfected into CRC SW620 cells(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-625-3p may be a promising approach for the treatment of CRC by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.     

IL-17 promotes viability and migration ability of endometrial carcinoma cells by inhibiting miR-195-5p expression

AIM:To investigate the potential mechanism of interleukin-17 (IL-17) promoting the viability, migration and invasion of human endometrial carcinoma cells. METHODS:The expression of IL-17 and microRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p) in the human endometrial carcinoma and benign uterine lesion samples were detected by RT-qPCR. The expression of miR-195-5p in human endometrial carcinoma HEC-1-B cells after treatment with IL-17 at different concentrations for 48 h was detected by RT-qPCR. The viability, migration and invasion of HEC-1-B cells after treatment with IL-17 at 100 μg/L or transfection of miR-195-5p mimics were detected by MTT assay and Transwell assays. The viability, migration and invasion of HEC-1-B cells after over-expression of miR-195-5p combined with 100 μg/L IL-17 intervention were also observed. RESULTS:The expression of IL-17 was increased while the expression of miR-195-5p was decreased in the human endometrial carcinoma samples (P<0.05). The expression of miR-195-5p in the HEC-1-B cells after treatment with IL-17 at 10,100 and 300 μg/L for 48 h was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The results of MTT assay and Transwell experiments indicated that IL-17 at 100 μg/L enhanced the viability, migration and invasion of HEC-1-B cells, while over-expression of miR-195-5p resulted in the opposite effect. CONCLUSION:Over-expression of miR-195-5p inhibits the enhancing effects of IL-17 on the viability, invasion and migration of HEC-1-B cells.     

Oxidative stress and P53 involve in fluctuant high glucose-induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells

AIM: To explore the mechanism of fluctuant high blood glucose-induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were treated with stable high glucose or fluctuant high glucose. Antioxidant and specific inhibitor of P53 were applied for identifying the role of oxidative stress and P53 in fluctuant high glucose-induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Additionally, SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (A), stable high blood glucose group (B) and fluctuant high blood glucose group (C). Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin(STZ,65 mg/kg), and the fluctuant high blood glucose animal model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ordinary insulin and glucose at different time points every day. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) were detected by the method of colorimetry. The protein expression of NADPH oxidase 4(Nox4) and P53 were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: The cultured HK-2 cells treated with fluctuant high glucose had significantly higher apoptotic rate and expression level of P53 protein than those in the cells treated with stable high glucose. Compared with the culture solution of the cels treated with stable high glucose, the SOD activity was decreased and the concentration of MDA was increased in the culture solution of the cells treated with fluctuant high glucose. The antioxidant and specific inhibitor of P53 significantly inhibited the p-P53 expression and decreased the apoptotic rate. After 12 experimental weeks, the cell apoptotic index and protein expression of Nox4 and p-P53 in the kidney tubular epithelial cells isolated from the diabetic rats were significantly increased in C group as compared with B group. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress and P53 are involved in fluctuant high glucose-induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Expression and effect of miR-139-3p in apoptotic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia

AIM:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of microRNA-139-3p (miR-139-3p) in the apoptosis model of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia. METHODS:Under normal and hypoxic conditions, the expression of miR-139-3p in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes was detected by RT-qPCR. miR-139-3p inhibitor and miR-139-3p inhibitor negative control were transfected into the primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The transfected cardiomyocytes were cultured in closed anoxic box (95% N₂ and 5% CO₂) at 37℃ for 12 h. Flow cytometry and Western blot were used to determine the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. RESULTS:After hypoxia for 12 h, the expression level of miR-139-3p and the apoptotic rate of the cardiomyocytes in hypoxia group were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). Moreover, compared with the miR-139-3p inhibitor negative control group, the apoptotic rate of the cardiomyocytes was significantly decreased in miR-139-3p inhibitor group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The expression of miR-139-3p is signi-ficantly increased in apoptotic neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia. Inhibition of miR-139-3p expression reduces hypoxia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.     

Paeonol affects viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by up-regulating miR-424-3p and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

AIM To investigate the effect of paeonol on the viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanism. METHODS Human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells was treated with paeonol at different concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/L). The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay to determine the optimal drug concentration. The Hep3B cells were divided into normal control (NC) group, paeonol group, miR-NC group, miR-424-3p group, paeonol+anti-miR-NC and paeonol+anti-miR-424-3p group. The expression level of miR-424-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. The migration ability was detected by Transwell assay. The protein levels of cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related molecules were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Paeonol intervention inhibited the viability of Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The concentration of paeonol at 200 mg/L was selected for the following study. Paeonol intervention inhibited the protein expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in the Hep3B cells, and inhibited the migration ability of the Hep3B cells. Paeonol intervention promoted the expression of miR-424-3p in the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-424-3p inhibited the expression of cyclin D1, MMP2 and MMP9 in the Hep3B cells and inhibited cell viability and migration ability (P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-424-3p reversed the effect of paeonol on the viability and migration ability of the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). Paeonol inhibited phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in the Hep3B cells and inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-424-3p reversed the effect of paeonol on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the Hep3B cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Paeonol inhibits the viability and migration ability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by up-regulating miR-424-3p and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.     

miR-485-5p inhibits viability and migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5

AIM: To investigate the effects of microRNA-485-5p (miR-485-5p) on the viability, migration and invasion abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The expression levels of sex determining region Y-box 5 (SOX5) mRNA and miR-485-5p in the hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells were detected by RT-qPCR with normal hepatocyte THLE-3 as control. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of SOX5, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). The viability of Hep3B cells was measured by MTT assay. The migration and invasion abilities of the Hep3B cells were detected by Transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay system was applied to verify the relationship between miR-485-5p and SOX5. RESULTS: Compared with the control cells, the expression level of miR-485-5p was decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma cells Hep3B, Huh7 and HCCLM3 (P<0.05), while the expression of SOX5 at mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-485-5p inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. miR-485-5p targeted the 3′-UTR of SOX5 and negatively regulated the expression of SOX5. Knocking-down of SOX5 expression inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. Over-expression of SOX5 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-485-5p over-expression on the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells. CONCLUSION: miR-485-5p inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of Hep3B cells by targeting SOX5 gene. miR-485-5p is a potential molecular target for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

miR-24-3p targeting KLF6 gene affects viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells via IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) on the viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. METHODS: The expression of miR-24-3p and KLF6 mRNA in the esophageal cancer cells TE11, Eca109 and EC9706 were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of KLF6 was determined by Western blot. EC9706 cells were transfected with anti-miR-24-3p and KLF6 siRNA. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the proliferation, apoptosis and IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathways related proteins were determined by Western blot. The level of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the relationship between miR-24-3p and KLF6. RESULTS: The levels of miR-24-3p were up-regulated in the esophageal cancer cells TE11, Eca109 and EC9706 (P < 0.05), and the expression of KLF6 at mRNA and protein levels was down-regulated (P < 0.05). Knock-down of miR-24-3p expression inhibited the cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited the protein levels of CDK4, cyclin D1, CDC25A, p-STAT3, Bcl-2 and IL-6, and promoted the protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax in EC9706 cells. CONCLUSION: miR-24-3p targets KLF6 gene to affect the viability and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells by regulating IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.     

MicroRNA-142-3p modulates atherosclerosis-associated endothelial cell apoptosis via targeting Rictor

AIM To investigate the role of microRNA-142-3p （miR-142-3p） in endothelial cell apoptosis during atherosclerosis （AS） and the underlying mechanism. METHODS Human aortic endothelial cells （HAECs） were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）. The expression level of miR-142-3p was detected by RT-qPCR. Apoptosis was determined via flow cytometry （FCM） and caspase-3 activity assay. Prediction of the binding site between miR-142-3p and 3’-UTR of Rictor mRNA was performed by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS The expression of miR-142-3p was substantially up-regulated during the ox-LDL-elicited apoptosis in HAECs （P<0.05,P<0.01）. Forced expression of miR-142-3p exacerbated apoptosis in HAECs whereas inhibition of miR-142-3p partly alleviated apoptotic cell death mediated by ox-LDL. Further analysis identified Rictor as a direct target gene of miR-142-3p, and Rictor knock-down abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor. Moreover, the Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） signaling pathway was found to mediate the beneficial effect of miR-142-3p inhibitor on endothelial cells apoptosis. CONCLUSION Down-regulation of miR-142-3p inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis and atherosclerotic development by up-regulating the expression of Rictor and activating the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.