MicroRNA-126 inhibits tumor proliferation and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by down-regulating EGFL7 expression.
This study aims to explore the effects of microRNA-126 (miR-126) on tumor proliferation and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting EGFL7. HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 71 HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to detect expressions of EGFL7 and VEGF and the micro-vessel density (MVD). HCC cell lines were collected and assigned into the blank, miR-126 mimics, miR-126 inhibitors, miR-126 mimics negative control (NC), miR-126 inhibitors NC, si-EGFL7, and miR-126 inhibitors + si-EGFL7 groups. Expressions of miR-126 and EGFL7 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR assay. The protein expressions of EGFL7 and VEGF were measured by Western blotting. MTT assay was used to measure the proliferation of HCC cells. Tumor xenograft model in nude mice was utilized to evaluate the influence of miR-126 on tumor growth. HCC tissues had higher miR-126 expression and lower EGFL7 mRNA expression than adjacent normal tissues. Compared with the blank, miR-126 mimic NC, miR-126 inhibitor NC and miR-126 inhibitors + si-EGFL7 groups, the protein expressions of EGFL7 and VEGF and cell proliferation were reduced in the miR-126 mimics and si-EGFL7 groups, while the opposite trend was found in the miR-126 inhibitors group. Compared with the blank and miR-126 inhibitors + siRNA-EGFL7 groups, tumor size, tumor weight, and MVD of transplanted tumors in nude mice were significantly reduced in the miR-126 mimics and siRNA-EGFL7 groups, while the opposite trend was found in the miR-126 inhibitors group. In conclusion, miR-126 could inhibit tumor proliferation and angiogenesis of HCC by down-regulating EGFL7 expression.
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Ming-Hua
MH
Hu
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Chen-Yang
CY
Ma
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Xiao-Ming
XM
Wang
Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Chen-Dong
CD
Ye
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Guang-Xian
GX
Zhang
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Lin
L
Chen
Department of Surgery, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, P.R. China.
Jin-Guo
JG
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D064593:Heterografts; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000235:genetics*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; C527877:EGFL7 protein, human; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; C527111:MIRN126 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs
EGFL7; MicroRNA-126; angiogenesis; hepatocellular carcinoma; proliferation