MiRNA-133a has anti-tumor effects on glioblastoma

Abstract

IntroductionGlioblastomas (GBMs) are primary malignant gliomas and astrocytomas that predominantly threaten patients’ life. The aim of this study was to explain how miRNA-133a plays an important role in GBM patients’ life.Material and methodsWe analyzed the pathology in healthy and GBM tissues by HE staining. We evaluated the MEK protein expression in adjacent and cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC). By cell experiment, we evaluated the miRNA-133a effects in U87 cells, which are a human primary glioblastoma cell line, biologically by MTT assay, flow cytometer and wound healing assay and measuring the relative protein expressions by WB assay.ResultsGBM patients show poor prognosis of < 1.5-year survival period. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate miR-133a and MEK levels in glioma tissues and healthy tissues, and the correlation between miR-133a and MEK was analyzed. Cell proliferation was examined by MTT assay. Wound healing assay was performed to detect cell migration. The results show a lower miR-133a level in glioma tissue than healthy tissue, and miR-133a is positively correlated with patients’ overall survival (OS). Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) agonist rescues miR-133a mimic induced reduction of U87 cell proliferation. FGF1 agonist inhibits miR-133a mimic caused up-regulation of U87 cell apoptosis, U87 cells that were at G1 stage and U87 cell migration. p-MEK/p-PI3K/p-AKT/p-ERK signaling pathways were responsible for the protective role of miR-133a in GBM.ConclusionsmiR-133a plays a protective role in GBM via inhibiting activation of MEK/PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, and might be an effective therapy for GBM.