MiR-181a Promotes Apoptosis and Reduces Cisplatin Resistance by Inhibiting Osteopontin in Cervical Cancer Cells.

Objective: In this study, the authors established a cervical cancer cisplatin (DDP) drug-resistant cell line to explore the role of miR-181a in the regulation of osteopontin (OPN) expression and the proliferation, apoptosis, as well as DDP resistance of cervical cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to validate the targeted relationship between miR-181a and OPN. The DDP-resistant cell line CaSki/DDP was established to compare the expressions of miR-181a and OPN. The cell proliferation activity was detected by CCK-8 assay. CaSki/DDP cells were divided into miR-NC group and miR-181a mimic group followed by analysis of cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and the cell proliferation by EdU staining. Results: There was a targeted relationship between miR-181a and OPN mRNA. MiR-181a expression was significantly lower, while OPN mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in CaSki/DDP cells than that in CaSki cells. Compared with the miR-NC group, OPN mRNA and protein were significantly decreased, cell apoptosis was significantly increased, and cell proliferation ability was significantly attenuated in miR-181a mimic transfection group. Conclusions: The decrease of miR-181a expression and the upregulation of OPN expression are related to the DDP resistance of cervical cancer cells. Overexpression of miR-181a can inhibit the expression of OPN, induce cell apoptosis cells, restrain cell proliferation, and reduce DDP resistance in cervical cancer cells.