Expression of miR-29 and STAT3 in osteosarcoma and its effect on proliferation regulation of osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVE

STAT3 has been shown to be involved in the occurrence, progression, and resistance of various tumors. The abnormal expression of miR-29 is associated with the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. The bioinformatics analysis showed a targeting relationship between miR-29 and STAT3 3'-UTR. This study investigated whether miR-29 regulates the STAT3 expression and affects the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The tumor tissues of osteosarcoma patients were collected, and the adjacent tissues were used as controls to detect the expression of miR-29 and STAT3. The Dual-Luciferase Gene Reporter Assay validated the regulatory relationship between miR-29 and STAT3. The expression of miR-29 and STAT3 in normal osteoblasts hFOB1.19, osteosarcoma SJSA-1, and MG-63 was measured. SJSA-1 cells were divided into miR-NC group and miR-29 mimic group. Cell apoptosis and proliferation were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared with adjacent tissues, miR-29 expression was decreased, and STAT3 expression was increased in osteosarcoma. There was a targeted regulation relationship between miR-29 and STAT3. Compared with hFOB1.19 cells, miR-29 expression in osteosarcoma SJSA-1 and MG-63 cells was decreased, with increased STAT3 expression. The transfection of miR-29 mimic significantly decreased the expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in SJSA-1 cells, inhibited cell proliferation, and increased cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased miR-29 expression plays a role in the increase of the STAT3 expression and in the promotion of the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. Increasing the expression of miR-29 can inhibit the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells and promote apoptosis by decreasing STAT3 expression.