title: MiR-185-3p and miR-324-3p Predict Radiosensitivity of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Modulate Cancer Cell Growth and Apoptosis by Targeting SMAD7.
abstract: BACKGROUND MiR-185-3p and miR-324-3p are 2 miRNAs that regulate nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radioresistance. This study tried to assess the clinical values of low miR-185-3p and low miR-324-3p expression in predicting response to radiotherapy (RT) and prognosis of NPC and to explore their new downstream targets. MATERIAL AND METHODS We recruited 80 patients with primary NPC. MiR-185-3p and miR-324-3p expression in the tumor tissues before and after RT or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were determined. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival curves were estimated to assess the prognostic values of these 2 miRNAs. Their target was predicted using an online database and verified using dual luciferase assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. In addition, the function of miR-185-3p/miR-324-3p-SMAD7 axis in NPC cells was investigated. RESULTS The expression of miR-185-3p and miR-324-3p was significantly reduced after RT in radioresistant but not in radiosensitive cases. Although miR-185-3p and miR-324-3p are not independent prognostic indicators of overall survival of NPC, their low expression is still associated with poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival. In addition, miR-185-3p and miR-324-3p can modulate growth and apoptosis of NPC cells, partly via SMAD7. CONCLUSIONS Combined low miR-185-3p and miR-324-3p might be important markers for prediction of low response to RT/CRT and poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival. MiR-185-3p and miR-324-3p can modulate NPC cell growth and apoptosis, at least partly through targeting SMAD7.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), People's Hospital of Chengyang, Qingdao, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), People's Hospital of Zhangqiu, Zhangqiu, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), People's Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hanhai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), People's Hospital of Zoucheng, Zoucheng, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D002277:Carcinoma; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C552431:MIRN185 microRNA, human; C000599310:MIRN324 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C497806:SMAD7 protein, human; D051906:Smad7 Protein