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Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
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The Multifunction Of miR-218-5p-Cx43 Axis In Breast Cancer

Chen Xia1, Hong Jiang2, Fugui Ye3

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Unit, Hunan Cancer Hospital, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China.

Oncotargets and Therapy
|October 22, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The miR-218-5p-Cx43 axis plays a key role in gemcitabine resistance in breast cancer. Understanding this axis offers potential for new therapeutic strategies against chemoresistant breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gemcitabine is a standard first-line treatment for breast cancer.
  • Mechanisms underlying gemcitabine resistance in breast cancer remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Connexin 43 (Cx43) in gemcitabine resistance.
  • To elucidate the epigenetic regulation of Cx43 and its involvement in breast cancer progression and chemoresistance.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were used to assess Cx43 expression.
  • Dual-luciferase reporter assays identified miR-218-5p as a direct regulator of Cx43.
  • In vitro experiments using mammalian expression vectors and small short RNA (shRNA) evaluated the functional impact of the miR-218-5p-Cx43 axis.

Main Results:

  • Cx43 expression was significantly lower in gemcitabine-resistant breast cancer cells compared to parental cells.
  • An inverse correlation was observed between miR-218-5p and Cx43 expression, establishing the miR-218-5p-Cx43 axis.
  • This axis was implicated in gemcitabine chemoresistance, cell proliferation, and migration.

Conclusions:

  • The miR-218-5p-Cx43 axis is a significant factor in breast cancer.
  • This axis holds potential for therapeutic and prognostic applications in translational medicine for breast cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Cx43breast cancergemcitabinemiR-218-5pmultifunction

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