Biologically inhibitory effects of VEGF siRNA on endometrial carcinoma cells

miR-495 promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in endometrial cells via targeting PIK3R1

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a huge threat to women's health. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of microRNA (miR)-495 in the proliferation and apoptosis of EC cells in vitro. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA levels. In addition, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to verified that PIK3R1 was a target of miR-495. After transfection with miR-495 mimics, Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to evaluate the cell viability of EC cells. The protein expression of PIK3R1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3 after transfection was analyzed using western blotting. Furthermore, cell apoptosis rate of EC cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. These results showed that miR-495 was significantly down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues, while PIK3R1 was up-regulated. The proliferation of the EC cells that were transfected with miR-495 mimics was markedly inhibited, and apoptosis was significantly promoted. In addition, downregulated expression of PIK3R1, Bcl-2, VEGF expression and upregulated expression of Bax and caspase 3 expression were observed after transfected with miR-495 mimic. Together these findings indicated that miR-495 acts as a tumor suppressor gene by directly targeting PIK3R1 at the post-transcriptional level in EC cells in vitro.

The evaluation of involvement of angiotensin II, its receptors, and androgen receptor in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy. Alterations of angiogenic factors including angiotensin (AngII) or VEGF are observed in EC. Expression of angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1) is correlated with EC. Moreover, the expression of VEGF is up-regulated by AngII. Androgens are involved in the pathogenesis of EC. Genetic variations in androgen receptor (AR) gene may increase EC risk. This review proved strong correlation among EC, AngII, its receptors and AR, where AT influence on AR and, as a result, induce the expression of genes related to carcinogenesis.