MiR-18a-5p Promotes Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Endometrial Cancer Cells by Targeting THBD.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role that the miR-18a-5p/THBD regulatory pathway plays in endometrial cancer (EC), which could provide a theoretical basis for potential therapeutic targets. Differentially expressed genes in EC tissue and normal tissue were determined by bioinformatics analysis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to compare the expression of miR-18a-5p and THBD mRNA in normal human endometrial cells and human EC cells. CCK-8 assay was used to compare the proliferative ability of EC cells in different treatment groups. Transwell assay was used to detect the migratory and invasive abilities of EC cells in different treatment groups. Dual-luciferase assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-18a-5p and THBD. Western blot assay was used to detect THBD protein expression level. qRT-PCR results showed that miR-18a-5p was significantly upregulated in EC cells, and expression of its target gene, THBD, was significantly downregulated. CCK-8 and transwell assays showed that miR-18a-5p could enhance the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of EC cells, whereas THBD could weaken those abilities. Dual-luciferase assay confirmed that miR-18a-5p could negatively regulate THBD expression. In addition, rescue experiments revealed that the oncogenic effect of miR-18a-5p on EC cells was inhibited by THBD overexpression. We conclude that miR-18a-5p could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells by targeting and downregulating THBD expression, and the miR-18a-5p/THBD regulatory pathway might be a therapeutic target. The results of this study may serve as a theoretical basis for related drug development.