Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

MicroRNA-33b inhibits liver cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via down-regulation of Fli-1 and MMP-2 protein expressions

Yunquan Guo , Yanzhen Cao, Huan Zhang, Cuicui Wang, Wenli Ji

Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, PR China;

For correspondence:- Yunquan Guo Email: uzirk4@163.com

Accepted: 24 October 2020 Published: 30 November 2020

Citation: Guo Y, Cao Y, Zhang H, Wang C, Ji W. MicroRNA-33b inhibits liver cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via down-regulation of Fli-1 and MMP-2 protein expressions. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(11):2279-2285 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i11.5

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To study the influence of microRNA-33b (miR-33b) on liver cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness, and the mechanism involved.

Methods: MicroRNA-33b or Fli-1 overexpression plasmid was transfected into liver cancer (SMMC7721) cells. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness were determined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), scratch test, and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. The amounts of miR-33b and Fli-1 in liver cancer tissues, paracancerous normal tissues, and miR-33b overexpression and control groups were measured using qRT-PCR, while protein concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) was assayed using Western blotting.

Results: Fli-1 protein was markedly upregulated in liver cancerous cells, relative to paracancerous normal tissues (p < 0.05). MicroRNA-33b protein expression was also significantly upregulated in miR-33b overexpression group, but the corresponding Fli-1 expression was downregulated in miR-33b overexpression group, relative to control (p < 0.05). MicroRNA-33b overexpression significantly and time-dependently inhibited SMMC7721 cell proliferation and migration, but it reduced the degree of apoptosis (p < 0.05). Liver cancer (SMMC7721) cells in miR-33b overexpression group were less invasive than the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, miR-33b overexpression significantly downregulated MMP-2 protein expression in SMMC7721cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Overexpression of miR-33b suppresses the proliferation, migratory and invasive potential of hepatic cancer cells via down-regulation of Fli-1 and MMP-2 protein expression. This finding may be useful in the identification of new liver cancer drugs.

Keywords: Liver cancer, Proliferation, Matrix metalloproteinase-2, Fli-1, MicroRNA-33b, Over-expression plasmid