MiR-21 is involved in cervical squamous cell tumorigenesis and regulates CCL20

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Feb;1822(2):248-60. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.09.018. Epub 2011 Oct 7.

Abstract

MicroRNA 21 (miR-21) has been implicated in various aspects of carcinogenesis. However, its function and molecular mechanism in cervical squamous carcinoma have not been studied. Using TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR and Northern blot, we confirmed that miR-21 is significantly overexpressed in human cervical squamous cancer tissues and cell lines. Remarkably, we showed that the level of miR-21 correlates with the tumor differentiation and nodal status by ISH. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-21 regulates proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of HPV16-positive cervical squamous cells. In order to identify candidate target genes for miR-21, we used gene expression profiling. By luciferase reporter assays, we confirmed that CCL20 is one of its target genes, which is related to the HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes. Our results suggest that miR-21 may be involved in cervical squamous cell tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Growth Processes / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Chemokine CCL20 / genetics*
  • Chemokine CCL20 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Microarray Analysis / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / metabolism
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / genetics
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins / metabolism
  • Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / metabolism
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / genetics
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / virology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CCL20 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL20
  • E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • MIRN21 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16