MicroRNA-30e* promotes human glioma cell invasiveness in an orthotopic xenotransplantation model by disrupting the NF-κB/IκBα negative feedback loop

J Clin Invest. 2012 Jan;122(1):33-47. doi: 10.1172/JCI58849. Epub 2011 Dec 12.

Abstract

Constitutive activation of NF-κB is a frequent event in human cancers, playing important roles in cancer development and progression. In nontransformed cells, NF-κB activation is tightly controlled by IκBs. IκBs bind NF-κB in the cytoplasm, preventing it from translocating to the nucleus to modulate gene expression. Stimuli that activate NF-κB signaling trigger IκB degradation, enabling nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Among the genes regulated by NF-κB are those encoding the IκBs, providing a negative feedback loop that limits NF-κB activity. How transformed cells override this NF-κB/IκB negative feedback loop remains unclear. Here, we report in human glioma cell lines that microRNA-30e* (miR-30e*) directly targets the IκBα 3ι-UTR and suppresses IκBα expression. Overexpression of miR-30e* in human glioma cell lines led to hyperactivation of NF-κB and enhanced expression of NF-κB-regulated genes, which promoted glioma cell invasiveness in in vitro assays and in an orthotopic xenotransplantation model. These effects of miR-30e* were shown to be clinically relevant, as miR-30e* was found to be upregulated in primary human glioma cells and correlated with malignant progression and poor survival. Hence, miR-30e* provides an epigenetic mechanism that disrupts the NF-κB/IκBα loop and may represent a new therapeutic target and prognostic marker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Glioma / blood supply
  • Glioma / genetics*
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Proteins / genetics
  • I-kappa B Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / physiopathology
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • I-kappa B Proteins
  • MIRN30b microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFKBIA protein, human
  • Nfkbia protein, mouse
  • NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha