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Updated: Oct 1, 2025
Radiosensitivity of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: August 21, 2019
miR-148a promotes cell sensitivity through downregulating SOS2 in radiation-resistant non-small cell lung cancer
1Department of Laboratory, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai, Hebei 054001, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer; however, radioresistance is a significant barrier in NSCLC radiotherapy. MicroRNA (miR)-148a has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in various types of cancer, including NSCLC. In the present study, the potential role of miR-148a in regulating radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells was investigated. Serum miR-148a expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in patients with NSCLC and healthy controls. The effects of miR-148a on cell viability, migration and invasion were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells. Serum miR-148a was downregulated in patients with NSCLC compared with healthy controls and its expression was significantly increased after radiotherapy. By contrast, miR-148a expression was decreased in the radioresistant patients compared with the radiosensitivity patients. Additionally, miR-148a overexpression inhibited the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of radiation-resistant NSCLC cells. In addition, miR-148a had putative binding site with Son of Sevenless 2 (SOS2) and negatively regulated SOS2 expression. Silencing SOS2 expression significantly suppressed miR-148a inhibitor-induced increase in radiosensitivity in NSCLC. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that miR-148a could enhance the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells through targeting SOS2, thus providing potential therapeutic targets to improve radiotherapy in NSCLC.
Insights
MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a) may improve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) radiotherapy by increasing radiosensitivity. Lower miR-148a levels correlate with radioresistance, but its overexpression inhibits cancer cell growth and invasion.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Radiotherapy Research
Background:
- Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most prevalent form of lung cancer.
- Radiotherapy resistance poses a significant challenge in treating NSCLC.
- MicroRNA-148a (miR-148a) functions as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including NSCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-148a in modulating the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells.
- To explore the potential of miR-148a as a therapeutic target for enhancing NSCLC radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Serum miR-148a expression was quantified using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR in NSCLC patients and healthy controls.
- Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays were employed to assess the impact of miR-148a on cell viability, migration, and invasion in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells.
- The interaction between miR-148a and Son of Sevenless 2 (SOS2) was analyzed, and SOS2 expression was manipulated.
Main Results:
- Serum miR-148a was downregulated in NSCLC patients and decreased further in radioresistant cases.
- miR-148a overexpression suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells.
- miR-148a directly targets SOS2, and its inhibition reversed the radiosensitizing effect of miR-148a.
Conclusions:
- miR-148a enhances NSCLC radiosensitivity by targeting SOS2.
- Restoring miR-148a levels presents a potential strategy to improve radiotherapy outcomes in NSCLC.
- miR-148a and SOS2 represent promising therapeutic targets for overcoming radioresistance in NSCLC.
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