Deregulation of miR-10b and miR-21 Correlate with Cancer Stem Cells Expansion through the Apoptotic Pathway in Prostate Cancer

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

2 Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

3 Department of Surgical Oncology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow, India.

4 Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

5 Department of Radiation Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

6 Department of Pathology (Transplant Immunology and Genetics) Muljibhai Patel Urology Hospital, Dr. Virendra Desai Road, Nadiad Gujarat-387001 India.

Abstract

Background: MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate important cellular processes such as tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Cancer stem cells are a subset of cells that control metastasis and cell proliferation. In this study, we focus on the roles of miR-10b, miR-21 and correlate with cancer stem cells through the apoptotic pathway in different stages of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: In total, 45 patients, each group with Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), localised PCa, and metastatic PCa, were recruited. MicroRNA and gene expression were estimated through quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Flow cytometry was used to characterise prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), estimate reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis and chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to estimate interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and testosterone. Results: The fold change mean expressions of miR-21, miR-10b, Cytochrome C, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) were significantly upregulated in localised and metastatic PCa compared with BPH. In contrast, the mean fold change expressions of Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC) were lower in localised and metastatic PCa compared to BPH. The levels of IL-6, TNF-α, ROS, PSA and testosterone also showed a significant increase while apoptosis was decreased in both localized PCa and metastatic PCa as compared with BPH. In bioinformatics analyses, we found a similar pattern of miRNAs and gene expression in PCa databases. Our study also found a high expression of CD44+/CD24- and CD44+/CD133+ in localised and metastatic PCa compared with BPH. Conclusion: Our findings suggest miR-10b and miR-21 promote PCSCs and may target apoptotic genes involved in PCa pathogenesis; these miRNAs could be used as diagnosis biomarkers of PCa. In PCa pathogenesis and PCSCs regulation, the interaction between these two players is crucial and will help develop new PCa therapeutic targets.

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