MicroRNA miR-886-5p inhibits apoptosis by down-regulating Bax expression in human cervical carcinoma cells

ObjectiveMicroRNA (miRNA) plays an essential role in the progression of a variety of cancers, but its role in cervical cancer progression is not well defined. We aimed to test whether special miRNAs and their target mRNAs contribute to cervical cancer progression.MethodsThe expression profiles of 1145 microRNAs in cervical squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC) and adjacent non-tumor tissues were investigated using an Illumina microRNA microarray platform. Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by RT-PCR. Downstream target validation was performed for miR-886-5p.ResultsWe found that the expression levels of seven miRNAs differed significantly between CSCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Forced expression of one miRNA, miR-886-5p, over-expressed in CSCC tissues lowered expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, reduced apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation in H8, an HPV16-immortalized human cervical squamous epithelial cell line. Knockdown of miR-886-5p increased Bax protein and apoptotic cell death in cells of the cervical squamous carcinoma cell line, SiHa.ConclusionMicroRNA miR-886-5p inhibits apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by down-regulating the production of Bax.

Research Highlights
► MicroRNA miR-886-5p is overexpressed in cervical carcinoma cells.
► Bax protein level is down-regulated by increased miR-886-5p expression
► miR-886-5p is involved in apoptosis of cervical carcinoma cells.