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MicroRNA-34a inhibits bladder cancer cell migration and invasion, and upregulates PTEN expression

Zhen-Shan Ding1, Yu-Hui He2, Yi-Sen Deng2

  • 1Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.

Oncology Letters
|October 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is downregulated in bladder cancer patients, distinguishing them from healthy individuals. This microRNA may suppress bladder cancer progression by upregulating PTEN, inhibiting cell migration and invasion.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is recognized for its tumor suppressor role across various cancers.
  • Its specific involvement in bladder cancer pathogenesis requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and expression of miR-34a in bladder cancer.
  • To explore the potential mechanism of miR-34a in regulating bladder cancer cell behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of miR-34a expression in bladder cancer tissues and plasma versus healthy controls.
  • Functional assays involving transfection of miR-34a mimics in bladder cancer cells.
  • Assessment of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression and cell migration/invasion after miR-34a mimic transfection.

Main Results:

  • miR-34a was significantly downregulated in bladder cancer patients (biopsies and plasma) compared to healthy controls.
  • Downregulation of miR-34a correlated with tumor metastasis but not tumor size.
  • Upregulation of miR-34a via mimics increased PTEN expression and reduced bladder cancer cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions:

  • miR-34a is downregulated in bladder cancer and can serve as a biomarker for disease detection.
  • miR-34a inhibits bladder cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially through PTEN upregulation.
  • miR-34a represents a promising therapeutic target for bladder cancer treatment.
Keywords:
bladder cancerinvasionmicroRNA-34amigrationphosphatase and tensin homolog

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