Exosomal miR-155-5p Modulates Breast Cancer Proliferation and Metastasis Via NF-κB Activation

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality in women.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving BC patient outcomes.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the oncogenic role of miR-155-5p in breast cancer progression.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying miR-155-5p-driven BC.
• To evaluate miR-155-5p as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

• Multi-omics approach including analysis of serum exosomes and tumor tissues.
• In vitro functional assays (proliferation, motility, apoptosis, invasion).
• In vivo studies using xenograft models and gene knockdown/silencing.

Main Results:

• miR-155-5p was significantly upregulated in BC tissues and serum exosomes, correlating with advanced stages and poor prognosis.
• miR-155-5p promoted BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inhibited apoptosis.
• Mechanistically, miR-155-5p suppressed NDFIP1, activating the NF-κB pathway (p65 translocation, IL-6/TNF-α secretion).
• In vivo, miR-155-5p knockdown inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, effects reversed by NDFIP1 silencing.

Conclusions:

• The miR-155-5p/NDFIP1/NF-κB axis is a critical oncogenic pathway in breast cancer.
• miR-155-5p is a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.
• Integrative omics approaches are valuable for uncovering cancer regulatory networks.
• miRNA-based interventions show potential for BC treatment.