MicroRNA‑1271‑5p alleviates the malignant development of hepatitis B virus‑mediated liver cancer via binding to AQP5

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of liver-related cancer. Progress has been made on the study of microRNA (miRNA or miR) function in HBV-related liver cancer. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine the role and functional mechanism of miR-1271-5p in HBV-associated liver cancer. miR-1271-5p and aquaporin 5 (AQP5) expression at the mRNA level were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The levels of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA were assessed by ELISA or qPCR. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry or Transwell assay. The interaction of miR-1271-5p and AQP5 was predicted by TargetScan, and verified by Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. The protein levels of AQP5, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were quantified by western blot analysis. Nude mouse tumorigenicity assay was conducted to examine the role of miR-1271-5p in vivo. miR-1271-5p was downregulated, while AQP5 was upregulated in HBV-related liver cancer cells and tissues. Overexpression of miR-1271-5p or AQP5 knockdown inhibited the levels of HBeAg, HBsAg and HBV DNA, blocked cell viability, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. AQP5 was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-1271-5p, and miR-1271-5p exerted its role through targeting AQP5. Overexpression of miR-1271-5p impeded tumor growth in vivo by weakening the expression of AQP5. In conclusion, miR-1271-5p blocked the progression of HBV-induced liver cancer by competitively targeting AQP5.

FOXC2‐induced circCASK aggravates colorectal cancer progression by upregulating SIX1 expression

“…MiR‐1271‐5p contributes to the development of a variety of cancers and functions as a tumor suppressor 12–15 . The differential genes from TCGA COAD datasets and the obtained putative targets of miR‐1271‐5p were analyzed (Figure 5a).…”

“…Here, FISH, a luciferase reporter assay, and RT‐qPCR analysis indicated that circCASK exerted its function by sponging miR‐1271‐5p and thus forming the circCASK/miR‐1271‐5p regulatory axis. It has been reported that miR‐1271‐5p plays an important tumor‐suppressor role in several cancers, including liver, 15 prostate, 30 endometrial, 31 ovarian, 13 cervical, 32 and lung cancer 33 . More importantly, miR‐1271‐5p suppresses CRC carcinogenesis 34 .…”

Dynamic interplay of microRNA in diseases and therapeutic

“… 42 Li et al demonstrated that overexpression of miR‐1271‐5p inhibits HBV antigens and suppresses tumor growth by reducing the expression of AQP5. 43 Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs but can also affect any other part of the body. Diagnosis of TB is a major challenge that requires the development of accurate diagnostic tools.…”

“…Li et al demonstrated higher expression of miR‐487b in serum of infected patients, thus miR‐487b can be used as a diagnostic marker for HCC 42 . Li et al demonstrated that overexpression of miR‐1271‐5p inhibits HBV antigens and suppresses tumor growth by reducing the expression of AQP5 43 . Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs but can also affect any other part of the body.…”

The pathogenesis of liver cancer and the therapeutic potential of bioactive substances

“…Li et al confirmed that silencing miRNA-210 can inhibit HepG2 by up-regulating EGR3 to promote apoptosis ( Li X. et al, 2020 ). In tissues with HBV-associated HCC, miR-1271-5p was down-regulated and AQP5 was up-regulated ( Li Z. et al, 2021 ). miR-122 can specifically bind to the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 2 (APOBEC2) mRNA and inhibit its expression.…”