Abstract
Purpose:
Curcumin exerts its anti-cancer effects, partly by targeting special microRNAs, in human cancers. MiR-21 is a key oncomir in carcinogenesis of multiple human cancers. Here, we aimed to further explore the mechanistic insight into the link between curcumin and miR-21 on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Materials and methods:
Quantitative real-time PCR assays were performed to assess the levels of miR-21 and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mRNA. In situ hybridization assay was used for miR-21 expression visualization in lymphoma tissues. Western blot was used for determination of VHL protein, Ki-67, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were employed to confirm the direct target of miR-21. MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, and transwell assay were used to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration and invasion capacities, respectively.
Results:
Curcumin repressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities and promoted apoptosis in SU-DHL-8 cells. Curcumin inhibited miR-21 expression and curcumin exerted its anti-proliferation, anti-migration, anti-invasion, and pro-apoptosis effects by miR-21 in SU-DHL-8 cells. VHL was a direct target of miR-21. Moreover, curcumin exerted its regulatory effects on SU-DHL-8 cells by VHL.
Conclusion:
Curcumin exerted its anti-proliferation, anti-migration, anti-invasion, and pro-apoptosis functions, at least partly, by repressing miR-21 and regulating VHL expression in DLBCL cell line. Our findings provided a possible molecular mechanism of curcumin-mediated anti-cancer effect.
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