Epigenetic regulation of microRNA-370 by interleukin-6 in malignant human cholangiocytes

Oncogene. 2008 Jan 10;27(3):378-86. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1210648. Epub 2007 Jul 9.

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is overexpressed and contributes to tumor cell growth in cholangiocarcinoma. Enforced IL-6 production can alter the expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in tumor growth, and moreover can modulate expression of methylation-dependent genes. Thus, we assessed the methylation-dependent regulation of miRNA expression in human malignant cholangiocytes stably transfected to overexpress IL-6. The expression of the methyltransferases DNA methyltransferase enzyme-1 and HASJ4442 was increased by IL-6 overexpression, but was decreased by the methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR). Expression profiling identified seven miRNAs that were significantly downregulated by IL-6 overexpression (<0.4-fold) and upregulated (>2-fold) by 5-aza-CdR. One of these, miR-370, is embedded in a CpG island. Although 5-aza-CdR increased miR-370 expression by 2.1-fold in malignant cells, the expression in nonmalignant cells was unchanged. The oncogene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 8 (MAP3K8) was identified as a target of miR-370, and its expression was decreased by 5-aza-CdR in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Overexpression of IL-6 reduced miR-370 expression and reinstated MAP3K8 expression in vitro as well as in tumor cell xenografts in vivo. Thus, IL-6 may contribute to tumor growth by modulation of expression of selected miRNAs, such as miR-370. These studies define a mechanism by which inflammation-associated cytokines can epigenetically modulate gene expression and directly contribute to tumor biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Azacitidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Azacitidine / pharmacology
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics*
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • Decitabine
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • MIRN370 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Decitabine
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase 1
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
  • MAP3K8 protein, human
  • Azacitidine