Growth-inhibitory and chemosensitizing effects of microRNA-31 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells.

The constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) contributes to resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The aim of this study was to explore the biological role of microRNA-31 (miR-31) in GBM, particularly its role in the regulation of TMZ chemosensitivity. For this purpose, the human GBM cell lines, U251 and U87, were transfected with a miR-31 precursor (pre-miR-31), and cell proliferation, apoptosis and STAT3 phosphorylation were then assessed.