MicroRNA-124 (miR-124) was reported to be attenuated in human cervical cancer (CC) specimens. However, its role in CC remains elusive. In the present study, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that miR-124 expression is significantly downregulated in human CC tissues and several CC cell lines. Transfection of miR-124 mimics in CC cell lines HeLa and SiHa markedly inhibits cell proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in vitro. Further studies have identified astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) as a direct target gene of miR-124. miR-124 downregulated AEG-1 expression through interaction with its 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs), and miR-124 expression was inversely correlated with AEG-1 levels in CC specimens. Moreover, exogenous overexpression of AEG-1 significantly rescued the miR-124-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as the EMT process in HeLa cells. In conclusion, these findings suggested that miR-124 was able to suppress cell proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as the EMT process in cervical carcinomas through directly targeting AEG-1. miR-124 and AEG-1 may be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cervical carcinoma.

Ovarian cancer is a life‑threatening disease in females worldwide. The polarization of macrophages is crucial in oncogenesis and the development of ovarian cancer. Increasing evidence has supported the correlation between ovarian cancer stem‑like cells (OCSCs) and macrophages, however, whether OCSCs can affect the polarization of macrophages and the underlying mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. To examine the interplay between OCSCs and macrophages, a co‑culture system was used to detect the effect of OCSCs on macrophage polarization. The expression of cluster of differentiation 206+ and the secretion of interleukin‑10 were significantly increased and the production of tumor necrosis factor‑α was suppressed, confirming macrophage polarization to M2 macrophages. Further investigation of the macrophages in a Transwell culture system with OCSCs revealed polarization to the M2 macrophages to a similar extent, indicating that the cytokines of the OCSCs, rather than direct cell‑cell contact, are important for the polarization of M2 macrophages. Furthermore, the expression levels of chemokine (C‑C motif) ligand (CCL)2, cyclooxygenase (COX)‑2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were increased in the Transwell system and the inhibition of COX‑2, but not CCL2, significantly decreased the polarization of the M2 macrophages. In addition, mechanistic analysis revealed the importance of the COX‑2/PGE2 pathway in OCSCs to activate Janus kinase (JAK) signaling in macrophages to elicit M2 polarization. These findings provided the first evidence, to the best of our knowledge, that OCSCs are capable of altering macrophages into the M2 phenotype via the overexpression of COX‑2 and the increased production of PGE2 cytokines and that the JAK signaling pathway in macrophages is important for this alteration. The present study provided evidence supporting possible molecular targets for cancer treatment.

Here, the authors present a case of severe pre-eclampsia complicated by postpartum HELLP syndrome. A 29-year-old pregnant woman with severe pre-eclampsia at 30 weeks of gestation was admitted to the present clinic with hypertension and proteinuria. A cesarean section was performed at 31 +3 weeks of gestation due to fetal distress and a history of cesarean section. The postpartum period was uneventful until two days after the cesarean section, when the patient began to experience epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. Subsequent laboratory tests were consistent with HELLP syndrome. Development of hemoperitoneum led to the patient being conveyed to surgery whereupon the authors discovered a large hematoma. They also identified that the liver capsule had a 5-cm tear. Unfortunately, the patient was diagnosed with an intestinal fistula 12 days after surgery. They therefore recommend that caution should be exercised closely monitoring for new symptoms in patients with pre-eclampsia in order to detect the potential development of postpartum HELLP syndrome.