ABSTRACT
@#Objective: To explore the effects of miR-149-3p on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of cervical cancer HeLa cells and the possible mechanisms. Methods: HeLa cells were randomly divided into five groups, including untransfected (HeLa) group, mimic-scramble group (the negative control of miR-149 mimic), miR-149 mimic group, FOXP3 over-expression (pc-FOXP3) group, and co-transfection (mimic+pc-FOXP3) group. The targeted relationship of miR-149-3p and FOXP3 was verified by luciferase assay. The expressions of miR-149-3p and FOXP3 mRNA were tested by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein levels of FOXP3 were measured by Western blotting. The proliferation was detected by CCK-8; the apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry, the cell invasion was measured by transwell invasion assay and cell migration was detected by scratch assay. Results: The luciferase assay showed that miR-149-3p could target combine with FOXP3. Compared with untransfected group, the expression of miR-149-3p was increased while mRNA level of FOXP3 was decreased in miR-149 mimic group (all P<0.01). Moreover, the protein level of FOXP3 in miR-149 mimic group was lower than that in untransfected group (P<0.01), while the protein level of FOXP3 in pcFOXP3 group was higher than that in untransfected group (P<0.01); Compared with pc-FOXP3 group, the protein levels of FOXP3 in mimic+pc-FOXP3 group were reduced (P<0.01). The proliferation in miR-149 mimic group was lower than that in untransfected group (P<0.01), while the proliferation in pc-FOXP3 was higher than that in untransfected group (P<0.01); compared with pc-FOXP3 group, the proliferation in mimic+pc-FOXP3 group was decreased (P<0.01). The apoptosis rate of HeLa cells in miR-149 mimic group was higher than that in untransfected group (P<0.01), while the apoptosis rate in pc-FOXP3 was lower than that in untransfected group (P< 0.01); compared with pc-FOXP3 group, the apoptosis in mimic+pc-FOXP3 group was elevated (P<0.01). The number of invasive cells per field and wound healing rate in miR-149 mimic group was lower than those in untransfeccted group (P<0.01) while the invasive cells and wound healing rate in pc-FOXP3 group was higher than those in untransfeceted group (P<0.01); compared with pc-FOXP3 group, the number of invasive cells per field and wound healing rate in mimic+pc-FOXP3 group was reduced (P<0.01). Conclusion: miR-149-3p inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration and promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells via targeting FOXP3.