miR-141-3p affects apoptosis and migration of endometrial stromal cells by targeting KLF-12

Pflugers Arch. 2019 Aug;471(8):1055-1063. doi: 10.1007/s00424-019-02283-2. Epub 2019 May 25.

Abstract

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is characterized by pelvic pain and infertility. MicroRNAs have been shown to implicate in the progression of endometriosis. In our study, we used real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of miR-141-3p in endometrial samples. In addition, western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of Krüppel-like factor 12 (KLF-12). The proliferation and migration of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were determined by MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using a Cell Death Detection ELISA Plus kit. The results showed that miR-141-3p and KLF-12 were significantly different in paired ectopic and eutopic endometrial samples. miR-141-3p overexpression significantly restrained the proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis of ectopic ESCs, whereas a decreased level of miR-141-3p was associated with opposite results. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that KLF-12 was a novel target of miR-141-3p, while it also decreased the effects of miR-141-3p on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of ectopic ESCs. Our data suggested that enhanced expression of miR-141-3p suppressed the proliferation and migration of ectopic ESCs and promoted their apoptosis via targeting KLF-12. Our results may provide a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of endometriosis.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Ectopic endometrial stromal cells; Krüppel-like factor 12; Proliferation; miR-141-3p.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endometrium / cytology*
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*

Substances

  • KLF12 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • MIRN141 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs