Upregulation Of miR-153 Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression By Targeting ZEB2-Mediated EMT And Contributes To Better Prognosis

• Main Authors: Shi D, Li Y, Fan L, Zhao Q, Tan B, Cui G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2019-11-01
• Series: OncoTargets and Therapy
• Subjects: microrna-153; zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 2; epithelial-mesenchymal transition; proliferation; invasion; migration
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/upregulation-of-mir-153-inhibits-triple-negative-breast-cancer-progres-peer-reviewed-article-OTT

Dongliang Shi,1,2 Yong Li,1 Liqiao Fan,1 Qun Zhao,1 Bibo Tan,1 Guozhong Cui2 1The Third Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People’s Republic of China; 2The Second Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yong LiThe Third Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No.12 Jiankang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050019, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [e-mail]: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most malignant type of breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRs) and their corresponding molecular targets are associated with the occurrence and development of various human malignancies. However, the roles of the microRNA-153 (miR-153) and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2)-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TNBC and predictive effect of miR-153 on the prognosis of TNBC have not been fully elucidated.Materials and methods: Relative miR-153 expression level was examined by RT-qPCR assay in TNBC tissues of 60 patients and TNBC cell lines (SKBR3, BT-549 and MDA-MB-231). Cell proliferation ability, invasion ability and migration ability were measured by CCK8 assay, Transwell invasion assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Luciferase reporting experiment was used to confirm that there was a miR-153-binding site in ZEB2 3ʹ-UTR. The expression of ZEB2 in tissues and its relationship with miR-153 were analyzed with immunohistochemistry method. Relative ZEB2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin mRNA and protein expression levels were observed with RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Based on risk factors, a prognostic model was established according to the Cox proportional risk model, and the prognostic risk factors of TNBC patients were predicted and analyzed.Results: The expression of miR-153 in TNBC tissues and cells was declined (all P<0.01), and upregulation of miR-153 inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration of TNBC cells (all P<0.01). In addition, miR-153 regulated ZEB2/EMT link in TNBC, and ZEB2 overexpression reversed the tumor-suppressive effect of miR-153 in TNBC. Moreover, miR-153 was an independent predictive factor that was associated with excellent prognosis in TNBC patients.Conclusion: miR-153 may inhibit TNBC proliferation, invasion and migration by regulating ZEB2/EMT link. Therefore, miR-153 is expected to be a molecular target and prognostic marker for TNBC.Keywords: microRNA-153, zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, invasion, migration