MiR-125 inhibited cervical cancer progression by regulating VEGF and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Ke Fu,Qi Shi,Rui Liu,Xue Li,Min Wang,Ling Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12957-020-01881-0

Abstract

BackgroundMiR-125 has been shown to be involved in a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer (CC). Here, our goal was to explore miR-125 functional role and molecular mechanism in cervical cancer development and progression.MethodsqRT-PCR was employ to detect miR-125 and VEGF mRNA expression. Western blot was applied for testing protein levels (VEGF, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, AKT, p-AKT, PI3K, and p-PI3K). MTT and transwell assays were used for detecting cervical cancer cell progression, including cell viability, migration, and invasion.ResultsWe observed that miR-125 was downregulated, whereas VEGF was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines (CaSki and SiHa). MiR-125 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration by targeting VEGF in cervical cancer. Moreover, miR-125 negatively regulated VEGF expression in cervical cancer tissues. Finally, we demonstrated that miR-520d-5p inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.ConclusionIn conclusion, the findings demonstrated that miR-125 inhibited cervical cancer progression and development by suppression VEGF and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Highlights

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common tumors in the female genital tumors and the most common cancer in women’s malignant tumors [1, 2]
MiR-125 was lowly expressed and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was highly expressed in CC To know the role of miR-125 and VEGF in CC progression, their expression should be detected firstly in CC tissues and cells
Through RT-qPCR analysis, we observed that, compared to adjacent normal tissues, VEGF expression was remarkably increased in CC tissues (Fig. 1a)

Summary

Introduction

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common tumors in the female genital tumors and the most common cancer in women’s malignant tumors [1, 2]. MiRNAs have been reported to modulate tumors development by degrading the translation of their target mRNAs. In CC progression, Dong P et al displayed that miR-143 and miR-107 were involved in CC cell growth and invasion [7]. Several miRNAs have been reported as tumor suppressor in CC progression, including miR-214, miR-9, and miR-129 [10,11,12]. MiR-125 was proved to be downregulated in CC and served as a biomarker for CC progression [13]. Based on these reports, we aimed to investigate the. MiR-125 has been shown to be involved in a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer (CC). Our goal was to explore miR-125 functional role and molecular mechanism in cervical cancer development and progression

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion