ABSTRACT
【Objective】 To investigate the role of microRNA-218 (miR-218) in regulating prostate cancer (PCa) cell stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). 【Methods】 PCa cell line stably overexpressing miR-218 was constructed with lentivirus transfection. The expression of miR-218 was detected with real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). The migration ability was detected with Transwell assay. The expression of EMT related proteins were detected with Western blot. The properties of cells were determined with colony formation and tumor sphere formation assays. 【Results】 The results of q-PCR showed that the mRNA level of miR-218 was significantly lower in PCa cell lines LNCaP and C4-2 than in BPH-1. Transwell assay showed that miR-218 inhibited the migration of PCa cells. Western blot showed that the expression of EMT related proteins were inhibited by miR-218. Colony formation and tumor sphere formation assays showed that overexpression of miR-218 significantly inhibited the properties of cells. 【Conclusion】 The expression of miR-218 is downregulated in PCa cell lines. miR-28 can inhibit cell migration, EMT and cancer stem cell properties.
ABSTRACT
Stem cell research is a innovative technology that focuses on using undifferentiated cells able to self-renew through the asymmetrical or symmetrical divisions. Three types of stem cells have been studied in laboratory including embryonic stem cell, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass and it can give rise to any fetal or adult cell type. Adult stem cells are multipotent, have the ability to differentiate into a limited number of specialized cell types, and have been obtained from the bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, placenta and adipose tissue. Stem cell therapy is the most promising therapy for several degenerative and devastating diseases including digestive tract disease such as liver failure, inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac sprue, and pancreatitis. Further understanding of biological properties of stem cells will lead to safe and successful stem cell therapies.