MiR-122 radiosensitize hepatocellular carcinoma cells by suppressing cyclin G1

Abstract

Purpose

Emerging evidence has shown that radiotherapy is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Micro(mi)RNAs are involved in regulating radiosensitivity in many cancers. MiR-122 accounts for approximately 70% of all cloned miRNAs in the liver, but there are few reports about whether it is involved in regulating of radiosensitivity in HCC cells.

Materials and Methods

HCC cells (HepG2 and Huh7) overexpressing miR-122 were constructed by transfecting them with lentiviral-miR-122. Then, their proliferation ability was analyzed by the MTT, and colony formation assays and a xenograft tumor model was used to detect their radiosensitivity. The expression of cyclin G1 mRNA and protein was detected by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

Results

Overexpression of miR-122 inhibited the proliferation of, and radiosensitized HCC cells. Cyclin G1 mRNA and protein level were suppressed in HepG2 tumors overexpression miR-122.

Conclusion

MiR-122 may be useful as a potential radiosensitizer for HCC, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of cyclin G1.

Keywords:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• cyclin G1
• MiR-122
• proliferation
• radiosensitivity
• xenograft tumor model

Disclosure statement

All the authors declare that this manuscript has no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

All the data and materials are available.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from Henan Science and Technology projects, No.192102310102.

Notes on contributors

Gang Xu

Gang Xu is a radiation oncologist and a clinical oncology researcher, who has published more than 10 articles as a primary author in recent years.

Shanshan Bu

Shanshan Bu is a radiation oncologist who has a lot of experience in radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Xiushen Wang

Xiushen Wang is a radiation oncologist who has published more than 5 articles in recent year.

Hong Ge

Hong Ge is a radiation oncologist who has a strong expertise in radiosurgery using SBRT. She also has academic expertise in treating lung cancer, esophageal cancer and prevention oncology.