Preparation, characterization, and in vitro tumor-suppressive effect of anti-miR-21-equipped RNA nanoparticles

Tinghong Zhang; Yunlong Wu; Dejun Yang; Cunzao Wu; Huaqiong Li

doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.040

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro tumor-suppressive effect of anti-miR-21-equipped RNA nanoparticles

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2021 Jun 18:558:107-113. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.040. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

Authors

Tinghong Zhang¹, Yunlong Wu², Dejun Yang³, Cunzao Wu⁴, Huaqiong Li⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Urology, Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325011, PR China.
² Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325011, PR China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, 361102, PR China.
³ School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, PR China. Electronic address: yangdj1103@ucas.ac.cn.
⁴ Department of Urology, Joint Centre of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325035, PR China. Electronic address: 4887902@qq.com.
⁵ Engineering Research Center of Clinical Functional Materials and Diagnosis & Treatment Devices of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325011, PR China.

PMID: 33906109
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.04.040

Abstract

MicroRNAs play an irreplaceable role in gene expression regulation. Upregulation of several miRNAs increases the risk of invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. An oncogenic miRNA, miR-21, is highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and is associated with tumor proliferation, invasion, carcinogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic resistance. However, targeted delivery of therapeutic anti-miRNAs into cancer cells remains challenging, especially for TNBC. In this study, we report the application of an RNA nanotechnology-based platform for the targeted delivery of anti-miR-21 by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) aptamer in vitro to TNBC and chemical-resistant breast cancer cells. RNA nanoparticles reduced cell viability and sensitized breast cancer cells to doxorubicin (DOX) treatment in vitro. Inhibition of miR-21 by RNA nanoparticles suppressed TNBC cell invasion, migration, and colony formation. The results indicate the potential application of nanotechnology-based delivery platforms in clinical anti-cancer therapeutics.

Keywords: RNA nanoparticles; Triple-negative breast cancer; miR-21.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
Apoptosis / drug effects
Apoptosis / genetics
Aptamers, Nucleotide / administration & dosage
Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics*
Aptamers, Nucleotide / therapeutic use*
Cell Cycle / drug effects
Cell Cycle / genetics
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Movement / drug effects
Cell Movement / genetics
Cell Survival / drug effects
Cell Survival / genetics
Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
ErbB Receptors / genetics
Female
Gene Knockdown Techniques
Humans
MicroRNAs / antagonists & inhibitors*
MicroRNAs / genetics*
Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
Nanoparticles / therapeutic use
Nanotechnology
Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
Tumor Stem Cell Assay

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Aptamers, Nucleotide
MIRN21 microRNA, human
MicroRNAs
Doxorubicin
EGFR protein, human
ErbB Receptors