MiR-140-5p inhibits larynx carcinoma invasion and angiogenesis by targeting VEGF-A

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Larynx carcinoma is a prevalent head and neck malignancy.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in regulating various cancers.
• The role of miR-140-5p in larynx carcinoma, particularly its effects on cell invasion and angiogenesis, was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression of miR-140-5p in larynx carcinoma.
• To determine the effect of miR-140-5p on larynx cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanism of miR-140-5p in larynx carcinoma.

Main Methods:

• Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for miR-140-5p expression analysis.
• In vitro manipulation of miR-140-5p levels using agomir and antagomir in larynx cancer cell lines.
• Western blot to assess VEGF-A expression.
• MTT assay for cell proliferation.
• Transwell assay for cell invasion.
• Angiogenesis assay.
• Luciferase reporter assay (LRA) to confirm direct targeting of VEGF-A by miR-140-5p.

Main Results:

• Larynx carcinoma tissues exhibited significantly lower miR-140-5p expression compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues.
• Upregulating miR-140-5p (using agomir) suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.
• Downregulating miR-140-5p (using antagomir) led to opposite effects, promoting proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.
• LRA confirmed that miR-140-5p directly binds to and targets VEGF-A.

Conclusions:

• MiR-140-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in larynx carcinoma by targeting VEGF-A.
• MiR-140-5p inhibits cell invasion and angiogenesis in larynx cancer.
• MiR-140-5p holds potential as a direct molecular target for larynx carcinoma therapy.