[Molecular mechanisms of let-7c targeting IGF2BP2 to regulate the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells].

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect and mechanism of let-7c overexpression on the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs).

Methods: hDPSCs were isolated and cultured. After transfected with let-7c mimics and inhibitors, transfection efficiency was detected by qRT-PCR, and cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry was applied to determine the cell cycle. The mechanism of let-7c inhibiting cell proliferation was analyzed by Western blot. A cell model targeting insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) was constructed by transient transfection of small interfering RNA(siRNA) and analyzed by bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter. Bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to investigate whether let-7c directly targeted IGF2BP2. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software package.

Results: Overexpression of let-7c inhibited cell proliferation. Let-7c blocked cell proliferation by regulating the S and G2/M cycles, and directly bound to a group of messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences related to cell cycle regulation, IGF2BP2, and targeting and inhibiting IGF2BP2 expression, with a negative correlation between the two expression levels.

Conclusions: let-7c inhibites the proliferation of hDPSCs by targeting and inhibiting IGF2BP2 expression.