The Expressions Of Mir-200a And Mir-21 In Colorectal Cancer Tissues And Their Effects On The Biological Functions Of Hct116 Cells

Objective: To explore the expressions of miR-200a and miR-21 in colorectal cancer tissues and their effects on the biological functions of human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. Methods: 51 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection were enrolled in this study. 51 specimens of colorectal cancer tissues and 51 specimens of tumor-adjacent tissues were collected from the patients. The miR-200a and miR-21 expression levels in the cancer tissues and in the corresponding tumor-adjacent tissues were quantified using a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression vectors of miR-200a and miR-21 were established, and after they were transfected with HCT116 cells, their proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis abilities were determined using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, a Transwell in vitro invasion assay, and an apoptosis experiment using flow cytometry, respectively. Results: The expression levels of miR-200a and miR-21 in the colorectal cancer tissues were significantly higher than the levels in the adjacent tissues (P<0.001). From 24 h to 72 h, the miR-200a inhibitor group and the miR-21 inhibitor group showed a gradual decline in cell proliferation activity (P<0.001). At 48 h and 72 h, the miR-200a inhibitor group and the miR-21 inhibitor group showed significantly lower cell proliferation activity than the NC and blank control groups (all P<0.001). The miR-200a inhibitor group and the miR-21 inhibitor group showed a significantly lower number of invasive cells than the blank and NC groups (all P<0.001). The miR-200a inhibitor group and the miR-21 inhibitor group showed no significant differences in their cell apoptosis rates (P>0.05), but their cell apoptosis rates were significantly higher than the rates in the NC and blank groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: miR-200a and miR-21 are highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues. Inhibiting the expressions of miR-200a and miR-21 can suppress the proliferation and invasion of human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells and promote their apoptosis.