Background: Low-grade gliomas (LGG), approximately constitute one-third of all types of gliomas, are prone to relapse and metastasis. MicroRNA-138 (miR-138) is reported to be dysregulated in diverse human tumors and mainly function as a tumor suppressor. In this study, we analyzed the expression profile and function of miR-138 in LGG. Methods: Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and public database bioinformatics analysis were per-formed to determine the miR-138 levels in LGG. MiR-138 overexpression in LGG cells was achieved by miR-138 mimics transfection. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK8, EdU and colony formation assays. Cell invasion and migration were analyzed by transwell and wound-healing assays. Xenograft model was employed to study the role of miR-138 in LGG growth in vivo. The target of miR-138 was validated by multiple methods, such as luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR and Western blot. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms by which miR-138 contributed to LGG progression. Results: miR-138 was significantly downregulated in LGG tumor tissues and low expression of miR-138 was significantly associated with poor prognosis as well as relapse and metastasis in LGG patients. Functional analysis indicated that ectopic miR-138 expression suppressed LGG cell growth and invasive phenotype in vitro, and inhibited tumor development in vivo. Moreover, miR-138 directly targeted and repressed insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) by targeting the 3ʹ-UTR of IGF2BP2, inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to attenuate LGG aggressiveness. In addition, we found that elevated IGF2BP2 expression correlates with poor survival of LGG patients. Conclusion: miR-138 may function as a tumor inhibitor by directly inhibiting IGF2BP2 and suppressing EMT in the progression of LGG.
CITATION STYLE
Yang, Y., Liu, X., Cheng, L., Li, L., Wei, Z., Wang, Z., … Chen, C. (2020). Tumor suppressor microRNA-138 suppresses low-grade glioma development and metastasis via regulating IGF2BP2. OncoTargets and Therapy, 13, 2247–2260. https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S232795
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