MiR-302a-3p reduces cisplatin resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting EphA2

Abstract

Platinum-based chemotherapy is a common clinical treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and chemoresistance is a major leading reason for cancer treatment failure. MiR-302a-3p is involved in the development of many diseases. Here, we investigated the role of miR-302a-3p in the cisplatin resistance of ESCC cells and explored its potential mechanism via molecular techniques. The expression of miR-302a-3p was significantly reduced, while the expressions of EphA2 were increased in ESCC tumor tissues and cells. EphA2 was one target gene of miR-302a-3p, and was negatively regulated by miR-302a-3p. By regulating EphA2, miR-302a-3p reduced the viability and promoted the apoptosis of ECA109 cells treated with cisplatin, suggesting that miR-302a-3p could enhance the sensitivity of ECA109 cells to cisplatin treatment by targeting EphA2. MiR-302a-3p plays an important role in reducing cisplatin resistance by inhibiting EphA2, suggesting that it may be a promising therapeutic strategy for cisplatin resistance in ESCC in the future.

Keywords:

• EphA2
• miR-302a-3p
• cisplatin resistance
• ECA109 cell
• esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• apoptosis

Acknowledgements

We are greatly thankful for the technology support of Dr. Shi Hui and financial support of Nantong Health Commission and Nantong Science and Technology Bureau.

Authors’ contributions

(I) Conception and design: Jin Du, Yali Ren; (II) Administrative support: Jin Du, Yali Ren; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: Yali Ren, Qianqian Ju and Jinlin Zhang; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: Yali Ren, Qianqian Ju and Wei Gu; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: Yali Ren, Qianqian Ju and Jinlin Zhang; (VI) Manuscript writing: Jin Du, Yali Ren; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical statement

The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. As per instructions of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, informed consent was provided by patients before commencement of the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (No. 2015-070).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the ‘Blue Project’ of Jiangsu Universities (No: SJS201812); the project of Nantong Health Commission (No: WKZL2018080, MB2021078); and the project of Nantong Science and Technology Bureau (No: JZ20074).