A let-7/Fas double-negative feedback loop regulates human colon carcinoma cells sensitivity to Fas-related apoptosis

Abstract

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is considered essential for the regulation of anti-tumor reactions as it sensitizes Fas-related apoptosis in HT29 cells, but the mechanism is unclear. In the current study, our data demonstrated that IFN-γ stimulation and Fas activation suppressed Dicer processing and let-7 microRNA biogenesis, while let-7 microRNA strongly inhibited Fas expression by directly targeting Fas mRNA. Accordingly, our results indicate that Fas and let-7 microRNAs form a double-negative feedback loop in IFN-γ and Fas induced apoptosis in colon carcinoma cell line HT29, which may be an important synergistic mechanism in anti-tumor immune response. We also found that a let-7 microRNA inhibitor increased Fas expression and sensitized cells to Fas-related apoptosis, which may have future implications in colon carcinoma therapy.