miR-15a and miR-16 affect the angiogenesis of multiple myeloma by targeting VEGF

Carcinogenesis. 2013 Feb;34(2):426-35. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgs333. Epub 2012 Oct 26.

Abstract

Deregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and their roles in cancer development have attracted much attention. Two miRNAs, miR-15a and miR-16, which act as putative tumor suppressor by targeting the oncogene BCL2, have been implicated in cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the possible role of miR-15a/16 in the angiogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Using a stem-loop quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we analyzed miR-15a/16 expressions in bone marrow samples from newly diagnosed MM patients and a panel of MM cell lines. miRNA transfection, western blotting analysis and assay of luciferase activity were used to examine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the target of miR-15a/16. The functional roles of miR-15a/16 on tumorigenesis and angiogenesis were examined by in vitro angiogenesis models and in vivo tumor xenograft model. We showed that miR-15a and miR-16 were significantly underexpressed in primary MM cells as well as in MM cell lines. The aberrant expression of miR-15a/16 was detected especially in advanced stage MM. In human MM cell lines and normal plasma cells, expression of miR-15a/16 inversely correlated with the expression of VEGF-A. Western blotting combined with the luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that VEGF-A was a direct target of miR-15a/16. Ectopic overexpression of miR-15a/16 led to decreased pro-angiogenic activity of MM cells. Finally, infection of lentivirus-miR-15a or lentivirus-miR-16 resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis in nude mice. This study suggest that miR-15a/16 could play a role in the tumorigenesis of MM at least in part by modulation of angiogenesis through targeting VEGF-A.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Blotting, Western
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / genetics
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / metabolism
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / pathology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / blood supply*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics*
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism
  • Plasma Cells / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MIRN15 microRNA, human
  • MIRN16 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A