miR-181b/Notch2 overcome chemoresistance by regulating cancer stem cell-like properties in NSCLC

• Published in: Stem cell research & therapy 2018-11, Vol.9 (1), p.327-327, Article 327
• Main Authors: Wang, Xiaoyuan, Meng, Qingwei, Qiao, Wenbo, Ma, Ruishuang, Ju, Weiwei, Hu, Jing, Lu, Hailing, Cui, Jianqi, Jin, Zhao, Zhao, Yanbin, Wang, Yan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cancer cells; Cancer stem cell-like properties; Cancer therapies; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - genetics; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Care and treatment; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell division; Cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell proliferation; Chemoresistance; Chemosensitivity; Chemotherapy; Cisplatin; Drug resistance; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm - genetics; Female; Flow cytometry; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genetic aspects; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - genetics; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Medical prognosis; Metastasis; Mice, Nude; MicroRNA; MicroRNA-181b; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Middle Aged; miRNA; Neoplastic Stem Cells - metabolism; Neoplastic Stem Cells - pathology; Non-small cell lung cancer; Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); Non-small cell lung carcinoma; Notch2; Penicillin; Receptor, Notch2 - genetics; Receptor, Notch2 - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Therapeutic applications; Tumors; Western blotting; Xenografts
• ISSN: 1757-6512; 1757-6512
• DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1072-1

Lung cancer stem cells have the ability to self-renew and are resistant to conventional chemotherapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate and control the expression and function of many target genes; therefore, miRNA disorders are involved in the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as cancer. However, the effects of miRNA dysregulation on tumour stemness and drug resistance have not been fully elucidated. miR-181b has been reported to be a tumour suppressor miRNA and is associated with drug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties were tested by a cell proliferation assay and flow cytometry; miR-181b expression was measured by real-time PCR; and Notch2 and related proteins were detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. A mouse xenograft model was also established. In this study, we found that ectopic miR-181b expression suppressed cancer stem cell properties and enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin (DDP) treatment by directly targeting Notch2. miR-181b could inactivate the Notch2/Hes1 signalling pathway. In addition, tumours from nude mice treated with miR-181b were significantly smaller than tumours from mice treated with control agomir. Decreased miR-181b expression and increased Notch2 expression were observed to have a significant relationship with overall survival (OS) and CSC-like properties in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This study elucidates an important role of miR-181b in the regulation of CSC-like properties, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for overcoming drug resistance in NSCLC.