MiR-17 and miR-93 Promote Tumor Progression by Targeting p21 in Patients with Chordoma

Abstract

Objective

MicroRNAs have been implicated in the progression of various cancers. However, the role of microRNAs in chordoma remains to be further elucidated. Here, we purposed to character the role of two microRNAs, miR-17 and miR-93, and their potential mechanisms in chordoma.

Methods

The expression and prognostic value of miR-17 and miR-93 were assessed by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Kaplan–Meier survival curve, and Cox regression analysis. The effects of miR-17/93 mimics on chordoma cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion were analyzed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and transwell assay. The downstream target of miR-17/93 was further explored via luciferase reporter assay.

Results

High expression of miR-17/93 was identified in chordoma tissues, and was associated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of miR-17/93 contributed to cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that miR-17/93 directly targeted p21 and decreased the expression of p21. Besides, the rescue assay further confirmed the essential role of the miR-17/93-p21 axis in chordoma.

Conclusion

Our results revealed the potential oncogenic effect of the miR-17/93 on chordoma progression, and suggested that the miR-17/93-p21 axis served as a promising therapeutic target in chordoma.

Keywords:

• microRNA
• miR-17
• miR-93
• p21
• chordoma

Abbreviations

miRNAs, micorRNAs; OS, overall survival; qRT-PCR, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its Supplementary Information Files.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The current study was approved by the ethics committee of Tangshan People’s Hospital and carried out according to the Declaration of Helsinki. And informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province (grant number H2020105017).