BACKGROUND This study was aimed to investigate the regulatory role of microRNA-210 (miRNA-210) on the progression of liver cancer and Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver cancer. METHODS The expression of miRNA-210 was detected in liver tissues of HBV-associated cirrhosis and liver cancer, and in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells by qRT-PCR. MiRNA-210 was silenced in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells by the transfection of miRNA-210 inhibitor. The cell viability and apoptosis was detected by MTT assay and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, respectively. The protein expression of EGR3 was detected by Western blot. The regulatory relationship between EGR3 and miRNA-210 was predicted by TargetScan and identified by Dual luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS MiRNA-210 was overexpressed in the liver tissues of HBV-associated cirrhosis and liver cancer, and in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells (P < 0.05). Silencing of miRNA-210 inhibited the viability and promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells (P < 0.05). EGR3 was a target of miRNA-210, which was down-regulated in the liver tissues of HBV-associated cirrhosis and liver cancer, and in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells (P < 0.05). Silencing of miRNA-210 increased the mRNA and protein expression of EGR3 (P < 0.05). Silencing of EGR3 reversed the anti-tumor effect of miRNA-210 inhibitor on HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Silencing of miRNA-210 inhibits the progression of liver cancer and HBV-associated liver cancer via up-regulating EGR3.

中文翻译：

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沉默 microRNA-210 通过靶向 EGR3 抑制肝癌和乙型肝炎病毒相关肝癌的进展。

背景本研究旨在探讨微小RNA-210（miRNA-210）对肝癌及乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）相关肝癌进展的调节作用。方法采用qRT-PCR检测HBV相关性肝硬化、肝癌肝组织以及HepG2和HepG2.2.15细胞中miRNA-210的表达。通过转染 miRNA-210 抑制剂，HepG2 和 HepG2.2.15 细胞中的 miRNA-210 被沉默。分别采用MTT法和Annexin V-异硫氰酸荧光素/碘化丙啶染色检测细胞活力和凋亡。Western blot检测EGR3蛋白表达。通过 TargetScan 预测 EGR3 和 miRNA-210 之间的调控关系，并通过双荧光素酶报告基因检测鉴定。结果 HBV相关性肝硬化、肝癌肝组织及HepG2、HepG2.2.15细胞中miRNA-210过表达（P < 0.05）。沉默miRNA-210可抑制HepG2和HepG2.2.15细胞的活力并促进其凋亡（P < 0.05）。EGR3是miRNA-210的靶标，miRNA-210在HBV相关肝硬化和肝癌的肝组织以及HepG2和HepG2.2.15细胞中表达下调（P < 0.05）。沉默 miRNA-210 会增加 EGR3 的 mRNA 和蛋白表达（P < 0.05）。沉默EGR3可逆转miRNA-210抑制剂对HepG2和HepG2.2.15细胞的抗肿瘤作用（P < 0.05）。结论 miRNA-210 的沉默通过上调 EGR3 抑制肝癌和 HBV 相关肝癌的进展。