The let-7c/HoxB7 axis regulates the cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Anticancer Drugs. 2020 Jan;31(1):6-18. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000843.

Abstract

Ectopic expression of HOX-containing genes is closely related to carcinogenesis, acting as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. A preliminary bioinformatics analysis showed that HoxB7 is a possible target of let-7c. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between HoxB7 and let-7c in liver carcinogenesis. We found that HoxB7 was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cells and negatively correlated with survival time, whereas let-7c was downregulated and positively correlated with survival time in patients with HCC. Let-7c overexpression suppressed proliferation, migration but promoted cell apoptosis in HCC cells. We validated that HoxB7 is a target of let-7c. Consistently, let-7c overexpression reversed the promotional effects of HoxB7 on proliferation and migration in HCC cells, and increased the cell apoptotic rate reduced by HoxB7. Furthermore, let-7c overexpression reversed the promotional effect of HoxB7 on tumor growth in subcutaneous HCC tumor model. Our data suggest that the let-7c/HoxB7 axis regulates HCC development, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Heterografts
  • Homeodomain Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • HOXB7 protein, human
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human