miR-99a inhibits proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells by targeting IGF1R.

Purpose: To explore the effects of miR-99a on the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells (CCCs) by targeting IGF1R.

Methods: miR-99a and IGF1R expression in C-33 A and C-4 II cells was interfered. Their effects on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of CCCs were analyzed by MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. The mechanism of action of miR-99a was analyzed by a rescue experiment and a dual luciferase reporter gene assay (DLRGA). Differences in miR-99a and IGF1R expression were detected in cervical cancer and adjacent tissues (n=30 each), and the correlation of the expression with clinicopathological characteristics of patients with cervical cancer was analyzed.

Results: miR-99a expression was lower but IGF1R expression was higher in C-33 A and C-4 II cells than that in normal cervical epithelial cells. The results showed that both the promotion and the inhibition significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of the two CCCs, but increased their apoptosis. To further verify the correlation of miR-99a with IGF1R in cervical cancer, we co-transfected miR-99a and IGF1R overexpression vectors into the cells and found that compared with CCCs transfected with miR-99a overexpression vectors alone, the expression of IGF1R in the co-transfection group increased, while the expression of miR-99a did not change significantly. Additionally, the proliferation and migration of the cells in the co-transfection group increased, while their apoptotic rate decreased. DLRGA showed the targeted inhibition of miR-99a on IGF1R expression.

Conclusions: miR-99a can specifically inhibit IGF1R expression and thus inhibit the proliferation and migration of CCCs.