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Published on: February 8, 2020
MiR-137 suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Meizhi Wang1, Hui Gao2, Haijun Qu3
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Background:
The most frequent type of renal cell carcinoma is called clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) which is associated with a poor prognosis. It has been observed that miR-137 is aberrantly expressed in many different kinds of human malignancies including ccRCC. This research aims to examine the role of miR-137 in ccRCC.
Methods:
Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was applied to measure miR-137 expression in ccRCC and adjacent noncancerous tissue. Gene expression was determined by western blot. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry and Transwell assay were used to determine the effects of miR-137 on cell growth, apoptosis and invasion, respectively. Moreover, xenograft and pulmonary metastasis animal models were established to investigate the role of miR-137 in vivo.
Results:
Our findings show that there was significant downregulation of miR-137 in ccRCC tissue relative to corresponding non-cancerous tissue. Ectopic miR-137 expression in ccRCC cells led to suppression of cell growth and invasion, as well as apoptosis induction. In contrast, knockdown of miR-137 enhances proliferation and invasion, inhibits apoptosis. It also confirms that miR-137 plays a tumor supressor role in vivo. Mechanically, miR-137 directly targets the 3'-UTR of RLIP76 which is an established oncogene in ccRCC.
Conclusion:
MiR-137 serves as a tumor suppressor, which can be considered a potential therapeutic target in ccRCC.
Insights
MicroRNA-137 (miR-137) is downregulated in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Restoring miR-137 suppresses tumor growth and invasion, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for ccRCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common kidney cancer subtype with a poor prognosis.
- Aberrant expression of microRNA-137 (miR-137) is observed in various human cancers, including ccRCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and mechanism of miR-137 in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma.
- To evaluate miR-137 as a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to assess miR-137 and gene expression.
- In vitro assays (CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell) evaluated effects on cell growth, apoptosis, and invasion.
- In vivo studies utilized xenograft and pulmonary metastasis models.
Main Results:
- miR-137 was significantly downregulated in ccRCC tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues.
- Overexpression of miR-137 suppressed ccRCC cell growth and invasion while inducing apoptosis.
- Knockdown of miR-137 promoted proliferation and invasion and inhibited apoptosis.
- miR-137 directly targets RLIP76, an oncogene in ccRCC.
Conclusions:
- miR-137 functions as a tumor suppressor in ccRCC.
- miR-137 represents a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC treatment.
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