PIM-1 may function as an oncogene in cervical cancer via activating the EGFR signaling

• Published in: The International journal of biological markers 2020-09, Vol.35 (3), p.67-73
• Main Authors: Yang, Hongwen, He, Kui, Dong, Weile, Fang, Jinchuan, Zhong, Suyun, Tang, Lixia, Long, Lihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annexin V; Apoptosis; Cervical cancer; Cervix; Correlation analysis; Epidermal growth factor receptors; ErbB Receptors - metabolism; Female; Humans; Metastases; Middle Aged; Oncogenes; Oncogenes - genetics; Polymerase chain reaction; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1 - metabolism; RNA-directed DNA polymerase; Signal Transduction; siRNA; Transfection; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - genetics
• ISSN: 1724-6008; 0393-6155; 1724-6008
• DOI: 10.1177/1724600820936295

Background: This work was designed to explore the roles of PIM-1 in the development of cervical cancer. Methods: There were 90 paired cervical tumor samples and the non-tumor adjacent tissue. The levels of PIM-1 in different samples were examined using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) methods. The potential diagnostic value of PIM-1 was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; furthermore, the expression of EGFR in tumor samples was detected, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the expression of PIM-1 and EGFR. Finally, cervical cancer cell line Hela cells were cultured and treated by PIM-1 siRNA, and MTT assay and Pi/Annexin V assay were performed to explore the effects of PIM-1 siRNA on the growth and apoptosis ability of the Hela cells. Results: PIM-1 was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer tissue compared to adjacent tissue, and the expression of PIM-1 in patients with cervical cancer is positively associated with the size and metastasis of the tumor. ROC analysis showed PIM-1 is a sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Furthermore, EGFR was over-expressed in cervical cancer tumor tissues, and the levels of PIM-1 and EGFR in cervical cancer tissue were positively correlated. Finally, PIM-1 siRNA dramatically inhibited the viability and promoted the apoptosis of the Hela cells. Conclusion: Our findings prove that PIM-1 may function as an oncogene in cervical cancer and can regulate the EGFR signaling in cervical cancer.