Volume 29, Issue 4 pp. 835-842
Hepatology

miR-224 promotion of cell migration and invasion by targeting Homeobox D 10 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Qiong Li

Qiong Li

Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this author
Chenchen Ding

Chenchen Ding

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this author
Chuan Chen

Chuan Chen

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Zhimin Zhang

Zhimin Zhang

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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He Xiao

He Xiao

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Fei Xie

Fei Xie

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Lin Lei

Lin Lei

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Yuanyuan Chen

Yuanyuan Chen

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Bijing Mao

Bijing Mao

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Mei Jiang

Mei Jiang

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Jian Li

Jian Li

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Dong Wang

Dong Wang

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Ge Wang

Corresponding Author

Ge Wang

Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Institute of Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China

Correspondence

Professor Ge Wang, Cancer Center, Daping Hospital & Research Institute of Field Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China. Email: [email protected]

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First published: 13 November 2013
Citations: 74

Abstract

Background and Aim

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that control target gene expression and are implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular pathways. In our previous research, we have demonstrated that miR-224 was overexpressed in liver cancer cells and tissues, which was an important factor in the regulation of cell migration and invasion. This study aimed to further explore the regulatory mechanism of miR-224 in the migration and invasion in liver cancer cells.

Methods

A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm that the HOXD10 gene was a direct target of miR-224. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, Transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays were performed to clarify the molecular mechanism of miR-224 in the regulation of cell migration and invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results

(i) The expression of miR-224 was strongly upregulated in MHHC97H and MHCC97L cells, and its expression level was significantly associated with cell invasive potential. (ii) The HOXD10 gene was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-224. Compared with normal liver tissues and cells, HOXD10 had lower expression in HCC tissues and cells and inversely regulated HCC cell invasion. (iii) miR-224 promoted expression of the tumor invasion-associated proteins p-PAK4 and MMP-9 by directly targeting HOXD10.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a previously undescribed regulatory pathway in which the miR-224/HOXD10/p-PAK4/MMP-9 signaling pathway contributes to the regulation of cell migration and invasion and provides a new biotarget for HCC treatment.

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