miR-181b-5p mediates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer stem-like cells derived from lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells

Abstract

The ability of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to invade and metastasize is associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The process of EMT is, at least in part, regulated by microRNAs. However, it is unknown whether microRNAs regulate EMT in cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs), or which microRNAs are involved. In the present study, we compared microRNA expression in A549 cells, TGF-β1-treated A549 cells, CSLCs characterized by the CD133+/CD326+ phenotype, and TGF-β1-treated CSLCs. We found that miR-181b-5p expression was upregulated by TGF-β1. Moreover, the overexpression of the miR-181b-5p in A549 cells and CD133+/CD326+ cells resulted in the down-regulation of the E-cadherin and increased invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, the knockdown of miR-181b-5p partially restored E-cadherin expression. These results suggest that miR-181b-5p regulates TGF-β1-induced EMT by targeting E-cadherin not only in normal A549 cells but also in CD133+/CD326+ cells which have characteristics of CSLCs. Thus, miR-181b-5p represents a new therapeutic target in NSCLC.

lncRNA TUG1-Mediated Mir-142-3p Downregulation Contributes to Metastasis and the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting ZEB1

“…As a type of typical short ncRNAs, miRNAs have been shown to be dysregulated in many cancer types. Additionally, miRNAs can participate in tumorigenesis by regulating target genes via translational suppression or mRNA degradation Bash-Imam et al [37][38][39][40][41][42]. For example, Tang et al [43].…”

MiR-182-5p and its target HOXA9 in non-small cell lung cancer: a clinical and in-silico exploration with the combination of RT-qPCR, miRNA-seq and miRNA-chip

“…There are two types of LC: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer [2]. Of these, NSLC is the most common and accounts for the majority cases of LC [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…At the time of diagnosis, most of patients have advanced stage disease because of atypical symptoms in the early stage of the disease [2]. Thus, NSCLC survival is poor, with 5-year survival lower than 20% [5]. Therefore, the development of novel screening and therapeutic strategies are of crucial importance for NSCLC patients.…”

Identification of a novel glycolysis-related gene signature that can predict the survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma

“…Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80%-85% of lung cancer cases and is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths [1,2]. Owing to the lack of specific clinical symptoms, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), which is the major histological subtype of NSCLC, is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in the death of most patients from local recurrence or distant metastasis [3,4].…”

“…Owing to the lack of specific clinical symptoms, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), which is the major histological subtype of NSCLC, is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in the death of most patients from local recurrence or distant metastasis [3,4]. Despite the clinical applications of combination of surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy, the 5-year overall survival rate of LUAD remains at a low level of 15.9% [2,3]. In clinical practice, histopathology can often successfully predict the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.…”