Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive brain tumors among human beings. In this study, we explored the functions of human microRNA-1270 (hsa-miR-1270) on GBM cancer cell proliferation, migration, and tumorigenesis.
Materials and methods: In GBM cell lines and clinical tissues, hsa-miR-1270 expression was probed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). In LN-18 and A172 cells, hsa-miR-1270 was upregulated by lentiviral transduction. The effects of hsa-miR-1270 upregulation on GBM in vitro and in vivo functions were probed by proliferation, migration, and xenograft assays, respectively. The correlation between hsa-miR-1270 and Wilms’ tumor gene (WT1 ) was probed by dual-luciferase activity assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. WT1 was then secondarily overexpressed in hsa-miR-1270-upregulated LN-18 and A172 cells, to explore its mechanisms in GBM’s association with hsa-miR-1270.
Results: Hsa-miR-1270 was significantly downregulated in both GBM cell lines and clinical tumors. Upregulating hsa-miR-1270 considerably suppressed GBM cell proliferation and migration in vitro and xenograft in vivo. WT1 was inversely correlated with hsa-miR-1270 in GBM. WT1 overexpression in hsa-miR-1270-upregulated GBM cells reversed the anticancer functions of hsa-miR-1270 on cancer proliferation and migration.
Conclusion: Hsa-miR-1270 upregulation may have suppressing effects on GBM cancer cells, likely by functionally acting through WT1.
Keywords: GBM, miRNA, hsa-miR-1270, WT1, xenograft