Original ArticleSuppression of miR-19b enhanced the cytotoxic effects of mTOR inhibitors in human neuroblastoma cells

BackgroundMammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors exert significant antitumor effects on several cancer cell types. In this study, we investigated the effects of mTOR inhibitors, in particular the regulation of the microRNA, in neuroblastoma cells.MethodsAZD8055 (a new mTOR inhibitor)- or rapamycin-induced cytotoxic effects on neuroblastoma cells were studied. Western blotting was used to investigate the expression of various proteins in the mTOR pathway. MicroRNA precursors and antagomirs were transfected into cells to manipulate the expression of target microRNA.ResultsAZD8055 exerted stronger cytotoxic effects than rapamycin in neuroblastoma cells (p < 0.03). In addition, AZD8055 suppressed the mTOR pathway and increased the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in the neuroblastoma cells. AZD8055 significantly decreased miR-19b expression (p < 0.005); in contrast, rapamycin increased miR-19b expression (p < 0.05). Transfection of miR-19b antagomir into the neuroblastoma cells mimicked the effects of AZD8055 treatment, whereas miR-19b overexpression reversed the effects of AZD8055. Combination of miR-19b knockdown and rapamycin treatment significantly improved the sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to rapamycin (p < 0.02).ConclusionSuppression of miR-19b may enhance the cytotoxic effects of mTOR inhibitors in neuroblastoma cells.