Targeting the MIR34C-5p-ATG4B-autophagy axis enhances the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to pirarubicin.
Pirarubicin (THP) is a newer generation anthracycline anticancer drug. In the clinic, THP and THP-based combination therapies have been demonstrated to be effective against various tumors without severe side effects. However, previous clinical studies have shown that most patients with cervical cancer are not sensitive to THP treatment, and the associated mechanisms are not clear. Consistent with the clinical study, we confirmed that cervical cancer cells were resistant to THP in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that THP induced a protective macroautophagy/autophagy response in cervical cancer cells, and suppression of this autophagy dramatically enhanced the cytotoxicity of THP. By scanning the mRNA level change of autophagy-related genes, we found that the upregulation of ATG4B (autophagy-related 4B cysteine peptidase) plays an important role in THP-induced autophagy. Moreover, THP increased the mRNA level of ATG4B in cervical cancer cells by promoting mRNA stability without influencing its transcription. Furthermore, THP triggered a downregulation of MIR34C-5p, which was associated with the upregulation of ATG4B and autophagy induction. Overexpression of MIR34C-5p significantly decreased the level of ATG4B and attenuated autophagy, accompanied by enhanced cell death and apoptosis in THP-treated cervical cancer cells. These results for the first time reveal the presence of a MIR34C-5p-ATG4B-autophagy signaling axis in THP-treated cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and the axis, at least partially, accounts for the THP nonsensitivity in cervical cancer patients. This study may provide a new insight for improving the chemotherapeutic effect of THP, which may be beneficial to the further clinical application of THP in cervical cancer treatment.
a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Yaran
Y
Wu
a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Zhenhong
Z
Ni
a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Xiaojing
X
Yan
b Department of Educational College , Chongqing Normal University , Chongqing , China.
Xufang
X
Dai
c Department of Gastroenterology , Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Changjiang
C
Hu
d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Daping Hospital, Research Institute of Surgery, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Yingru
Y
Zheng
a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Fengtian
F
He
a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , China.
Jiqin
J
Lian
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000071183:Autophagy-Related Proteins; C522425:MIRN34 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D004317:Doxorubicin; C027260:pirarubicin; C507524:ATG4B protein, human; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases
ATG4B; MIR34C-5p; autophagy; cervical cancer; pirarubicin