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Updated: May 29, 2026
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
Regression of A549 lung cancer tumors by anti-miR-150 vector
You-Jie Li1, Yan-Xia Zhang, Ping-Yu Wang
1Institute of Medical Molecular Genetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai 264003, PR China.
Abstract:
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a role in cancer. Antisense oligonucleotides can bind directly to miRNAs and block their activity, which are generally named anti-miRNAs. To suppress A549 cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo by anti-miRNAs, an anti-miR-150 expression vector (PR-ASO-150), regulated by the H1 promoter and containing a 'TTTTT' sequence following a hairpin to stop transcription, was constructed. A549 cell proliferation in vitro or in nude mice was observed after PR-ASO-150 treatment. Our results showed that miR-150 expression was inhibited and the growth inhibition rate of A549 cells was higher in the PR-ASO-150-treated group compared with the control, which indicated that PR-ASO-150 could inhibit A549 cell proliferation by regulating miR-150 expression. Following establishment of A549 cancer cell xenografts in nude mice, PR-ASO-150 was delivered intratumorally to investigate the suppressive action to tumor proliferation by regulating miR-150 expression. The results indicate that the tumor volume and weight were lower compared to the control group. Our results further showed that p53 expression was higher after tumor tissue was treated with PR-ASO-150, indicating that up-regulation of p53 contributed to the suppression to tumor growth. Our study provides a novel strategy for cancer therapy through the development of anti-miRNAs.
Insights
Antisense oligonucleotides targeting microRNA-150 (anti-miR-150) effectively suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. This novel cancer therapy strategy also led to increased p53 expression, inhibiting tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer development and progression.
- Antisense oligonucleotides (anti-miRNAs) can inhibit miRNA activity by direct binding.
- Targeting specific miRNAs offers a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct an anti-miR-150 expression vector (PR-ASO-150) for suppressing A549 lung cancer cell proliferation.
- To evaluate the efficacy of PR-ASO-150 in inhibiting A549 cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.
- To investigate the underlying mechanism of PR-ASO-150, including its effect on p53 expression.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a PR-ASO-150 expression vector regulated by the H1 promoter.
- Treatment of A549 cells in vitro and A549 xenografts in nude mice with PR-ASO-150.
- Assessment of cell proliferation, tumor volume, tumor weight, and p53 expression levels.
Main Results:
- PR-ASO-150 treatment significantly inhibited miR-150 expression in A549 cells.
- A higher growth inhibition rate of A549 cells was observed in the PR-ASO-150-treated group compared to the control.
- Intratumoral delivery of PR-ASO-150 reduced tumor volume and weight in vivo.
- PR-ASO-150 treatment led to increased p53 expression in tumor tissues.
Conclusions:
- PR-ASO-150 effectively suppresses A549 lung cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting miR-150.
- The anti-tumor effect of PR-ASO-150 is partly mediated by the up-regulation of p53.
- Development of anti-miRNAs represents a promising novel strategy for cancer therapy.
