MiR-34a inhibits cell invasion and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing c-Met signaling / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo explore the role of miR-34a in the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.MethodsHepG2 and Huh-7 cells were transfected with miR-34a constructs by using lipofection. qPCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-34a. Cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, cell migration and invasion assay were used to elucidate the invasive growth of transfected and un-transfected cells. The subcutaneous xenograft in nude mice was used to verified the anti-tumor effect of miR-34a in vivo. TargetScan, miR-WALK and luciferase assay were performed to explore the target of miR-34a in HCC.ResultsCompared with the overexpression control group and blank group, the expression of miR-34a in the miR-34a overexpression group cells were (2.727±0.173) and (4.042±0.104), respectively (P<0.05). The levels of miR-34a in overexpression control and blank groups were (0.003±0.030) and (0.005±0.027) (P＞0.05). Compared with the overexpression control groups, cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of HCC cells overexpressing miR34a were all impeded with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In vivo, tumor weight and tumor volume were significantly reduced in the miR-34a treatment group. The results of luciferase reporter gene indicated that c-Met was the direct target of miR-34a in HCC.ConclusionsUp-regulation of miR-34a in hepatocellular carcinoma can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, and its repression may be benefited by declining c-Met signaling in HCC.