Human glioma growth is controlled by microRNA-10b

Cancer Res. 2011 May 15;71(10):3563-72. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-3568. Epub 2011 Apr 6.

Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiling studies revealed a number of miRNAs dysregulated in the malignant brain tumor glioblastoma. Molecular functions of these miRNAs in gliomagenesis are mainly unknown. We show that inhibition of miR-10b, a miRNA not expressed in human brain and strongly upregulated in both low-grade and high-grade gliomas, reduces glioma cell growth by cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. These cellular responses are mediated by augmented expression of the direct targets of miR-10b, including BCL2L11/Bim, TFAP2C/AP-2γ, CDKN1A/p21, and CDKN2A/p16, which normally protect cells from uncontrolled growth. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas expression data set reveals a strong positive correlation between numerous genes sustaining cellular growth and miR-10b levels in human glioblastomas, while proapoptotic genes anticorrelate with the expression of miR-10b. Furthermore, survival of glioblastoma patients expressing high levels of miR-10 family members is significantly reduced in comparison to patients with low miR-10 levels, indicating that miR-10 may contribute to glioma growth in vivo. Finally, inhibition of miR-10b in a mouse model of human glioma results in significant reduction of tumor growth. Altogether, our experiments validate an important role of miR-10b in gliomagenesis, reveal a novel mechanism of miR-10b-mediated regulation, and suggest the possibility of its future use as a therapeutic target in gliomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Glioma / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • MIRN10 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs