Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

MiR-128-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via EMT

Jingli Li, Hui Wang

Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 101100, China;

For correspondence:- Hui Wang Email: whtel2023@126.com

Accepted: 5 January 2024 Published: 29 January 2024

Citation: Li J, Wang H. MiR-128-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via EMT. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(1):37-43 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i1.5

© 2024 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of overexpressing miR-128-3p on the migration, invasion, and proliferation of human nasopharyngeal cancer cells, and associated pathways.

Methods: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and clone creation tests were used to investigate the effect of miR-128-3p inhibitor on the growth of C666-1 cells. The inhibitor control and miR-128-3p inhibitor were transfected into human nasopharyngeal cancer cells (C666-1) and allowed to incubate for 48 h. Cell migration and invasion assays were conducted using Transwell and Scratch assays. Cell cycle was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) single-staining method, while expression of miR-128-3p was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). expression levels of vimentin, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin were determined by Western blot.

Results: MiR-128-3p inhibitor transfection in C666-1 cells significantly increased cell proliferation, cell viability, and clonal proliferation, and also significantly reduced miR-128-3p expression levels, and enhanced cell migration and invasion. In C666-1 cells, inhibition of miR-128-3p induced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusion: MiR-128-3p inhibits nasopharyngeal cancer cells from proliferating, migrating, and invading by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition. MiR-128-3p may therefore be a viable therapeutic target for nasopharyngeal cancer. Future studies are required to yield pertinent data in support of this hypothesis.

Keywords: MiR-128-3p, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), Cell migration, Cell invasion