MicroRNA-24 modulates aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis and tumorigenesis

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:482926. doi: 10.1155/2014/482926. Epub 2014 Apr 8.

Abstract

MicroRNA-24 (miR-24) may be involved in neoplastic process; however, the role of this microRNA in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has not been well elaborated. Here, we tested miR-24 expression in 207 pathology-diagnosed HCC cases from high AFB1 exposure areas and HCC cells. We found that miR-24 was upregulated in HCC tumor tissues relative to adjacent noncancerous tissue samples, and that the high expression of miR-24 was significantly correlated with larger tumor size, higher microvessel density, and tumor dedifferentiation. Additionally, this microRNA overexpression modified the recurrence-free survival (relative hazard ratio [HR], 4.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.66-8.47) and overall survival (HR = 3.58, 95% CI = 2.34-5.46) of HCC patients. Furthermore, we observed some evidence of joint effects between miR-24 and AFB1 exposure on HCC prognosis. Functionally, miR-24 overexpression progressed tumor cells proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis, and developed the formation of AFB1-DNA adducts. These results indicate for the first time that miR-24 may modify AFB1-related HCC prognosis and tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aflatoxin B1 / poisoning*
  • Aged
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / chemically induced*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Mycotoxins / poisoning
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • MIRN24 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mycotoxins
  • Aflatoxin B1