Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
miRNA-124 down-regulates SOX8 expression and suppresses cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer
Chao Xie1, Yunwei Han2, Yi Liu3
1Department of Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University Jinan 250000, Shandong, China.
Abstract:
Non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC) is a leading lethal disease and a global health burden. The function of the Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high mobility group box (SOX) family gene in cancer has attracted the attention of more and more scientists recently, yet there are few reports regarding the role of SOX in NSCLC. Our study aimed to investigate the expression of SOX8, a protein belonging to the E group of the SOX family, as well as SOX9, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relationship of gene expression to clinicopathological factors and prognosis in patients. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to measure the expression of SOX8 in 80 NSCLC and 7 adjacent normal tissues. SOX8 expression was detected as elevated in tumor samples and correlated to tumor size (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), differentiation classification (P = 0.015), and clinical stage (P = 0.013) significantly. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that shorter survival time for patients who had higher SOX8 expression (P < 0.001). In addition, our experiments indicate that miRNA-124 functions as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC. We also demonstrate miRNA-124 directly targeted and decreased SOX8 in NSCLC cell lines, suggesting smiRNA-124 may regulate NSCLC cell proliferation via decreasing SOX8 (oncogenicity of biomarker in NSCLC).
Insights
Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high mobility group box 8 (SOX8) is elevated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and linked to poor prognosis. MiRNA-124 suppresses NSCLC by targeting SOX8, suggesting a novel therapeutic pathway.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a significant global health challenge.
- The role of SOX family genes in NSCLC remains underexplored.
- SOX8, a member of the SOX gene family, warrants investigation in NSCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate SOX8 expression in NSCLC.
- To correlate SOX8 expression with clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis.
- To explore the regulatory role of miRNA-124 in NSCLC concerning SOX8.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of SOX8 expression in 80 NSCLC tissues and 7 adjacent normal tissues.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess prognosis.
- In vitro experiments in NSCLC cell lines to investigate miRNA-124 targeting of SOX8.
Main Results:
- SOX8 expression was significantly elevated in NSCLC tissues compared to normal tissues.
- SOX8 expression correlated with larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, poor differentiation, and advanced clinical stage.
- Higher SOX8 expression was associated with significantly shorter patient survival.
- miRNA-124 was identified as a tumor suppressor that directly targets and reduces SOX8 levels in NSCLC cells.
Conclusions:
- SOX8 is upregulated in NSCLC and serves as a potential biomarker for poor prognosis.
- miRNA-124 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by downregulating SOX8.
- Targeting the miRNA-124/SOX8 axis may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...