MicroRNA-217, down-regulated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and associated with lower survival, suppresses cell proliferation and migration

H. LI, J. ZHAO, J. W. ZHANG, Q. Y. HUANG, J. Z. HUANG, L. S. CHI, H. J. TANG, G. Q. LIU, D. J. ZHU, W. M. MA

Abstract:

Aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently correlated with a  variety of human cancers, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In this study, we determined the expression patterns of miR-217 in ccRCC, and tested its effect on cancer cell proliferation and migration. The expression levels of miR-217 were determined in 54 ccRCC samples using Real-Time qPCR. 786-O and ACHN cells were transfected with miR-217 mimics or miRNA mimics control. Cell proliferation and migration were evaluated by MTT assay and scratch-wound assay, respectively. We found that miR-217 was down-regulated in ccRCC compared to paired normal tissue. Lower miR-217 expression levels were associated with higher tumor grade and stage. All patients with high miR-217 expression survived 5 years, while with low miR-217 expression, only 40% survived. Cell proliferation inhibition and decreased motility were observed in cells transfected with the miR-217 mimics. In conclusion, miR-217 plays a  tumor suppressor role in ccRCC.