Lu B, Cao X, Chen X, Yue Y, Tang S, Xia F. MiR-518c-3p alleviates endometriosis by inhibiting ectopic endometrial migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via targeting ZNF608.
Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023;
307:205-213. [PMID:
35275273 DOI:
10.1007/s00404-022-06439-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The present study was performed to clarify the regulatory mechanism of miR-518c-3p in the progression of endometriosis (EMs).
METHODS
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) potentially acting on EMs were predicted by bioinformatics databases and validated in normal and ectopic endometrium. The miR-518c-3p mimics were transfected into endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and cell growth, death, and proliferation marker proteins expression were detected. The targeting relationship of miR-518c-3p with zinc finger protein 608 (ZNF608) was validated by luciferase reporter assay. ESCs were incubated with miR-518c-3p mimics alone or co-transfected with pcDNA-ZNF608, and growth, death, as well as proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker protein expression were detected. A rat model of EMs overexpressing miR-518c-3p alone or ZNF608 simultaneously was constructed to detect ectopic endometrial cell apoptosis and cyst volume in rats.
RESULTS
MiR-518c-3p expression was downregulated in ectopic endometrium. MiR-518c-3p mimic inhibited migration, invasion and proliferation of ESCs, and promoted apoptosis. MiR-518c-3p targeted the 3'UTR of ZNF608. ZNF608 expression was upregulated in ESCs and ectopic endometrium, and the regulatory effect of pcDNA-ZNF608 on ESCs was opposite to that of miR-518c-3p mimics. ZNF608 overexpressing rats had greater endometrial cyst weight and volume, and decreased endometrial apoptosis compared with miR-518c-3p overexpressing alone.
CONCLUSION
MiR-518c-3p inhibited growth, metastasis and EMT of ESCs and decreased ectopic endometrial area in rats with EMs by targeting ZNF608.
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