miR-340-FHL2 axis inhibits cell growth and metastasis in ovarian cancer

Cell Death Dis. 2019 May 8;10(5):372. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1604-3.

Abstract

Although increasing evidence indicated that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributed to tumor initiation and progression, but little is known about the biological role of miR-340 in ovarian cancer (OC). In this study, we found that miR-340 expression was downregulated in OC tissues compared with its expression in normal ovarian epithelium and endometrium, and treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) or trichostatin A (TSA) increased miR-340 expression in OC cells. In addition, ectopic miR-340 expression inhibited OC cell growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Four and a half LIM domains protein 2 (FHL2) was confirmed as a direct target of miR-340 and silencing FHL2 mimicked the effects of miR-340 in OC cells. Further mechanistic study showed that miR-340 inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by targeting FHL2, as well as downstream cell cycle and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signals in OC cells. Moreover, the greatest association between miR-340 and FHL2 was found in 481 ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma tissues via pan-cancer analysis. Finally, we revealed that lower miR-340 or higher FHL2 was associated with poor OC patient outcomes. Our findings indicate that the miR-340-FHL2 axis regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and is involved in tumorigenesis in OC. Therefore, manipulating the expression of miR-340 or its target genes is a potential strategy in OC therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Cystadenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Female
  • Humans
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / chemistry
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Muscle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • FHL2 protein, human
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • MIRN340 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Muscle Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors