MicroRNA-21 Regulates Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Invasion and Chemo-Sensitivity through SMAD7.

Background/aims: SMAD7 is a key inhibitor of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) receptor signaling, which regulates the alteration of cancer cell invasiveness through epithelial-mesenchymal cell conversion. Carboplatin is a commonly used drug in the chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying its suppressive effects on the NSCLC cell invasion are not completely understood. In the current study, we addressed this question by analyzing the effects of Carboplatin on microRNA-regulated SMAD7.

Methods: We used Carboplatin to treat NSCLC cell lines. We performed bioinformatics analyses on the binding of microRNA-21 (miR-21) to the 3'-UTR of SMAD7 mRNA, and verified the biological effects of this binding using promoter luciferase reporter assay. The effects of Carboplatin or miR-21-modification on NSCLC cell invasion were evaluated in either a transwell cell invasion assay, or a scratch wound healing assay.

Results: We found that Carboplatin inhibited the NSCLC cell invasion, in either a transwell cell invasion assay, or a scratch wound healing assay. Moreover, Carboplatin increased the levels of SMAD7 protein, but not mRNA, in NSCLC cells, suggesting presence of post-transcriptional control of SMAD7 by Carboplatin. Furthermore, expression of miR-21 was found to be inhibited by Carboplatin, and bioinformatics analyses showed that miR-21 targeted the 3'-UTR of SMAD7 mRNA to inhibit its translation, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay.

Conclusion: Carboplatin may upregulate SMAD7 through suppression of miR-21 to inhibit TGFβ receptor signaling mediated NSCLC cell invasion.