Elisa Callegari,
Bahaeldin K Elamin,
Ferdinando Giannone,
Maddalena Milazzo,
Giuseppe Altavilla,
Francesca Fornari,
Luciano Giacomelli,
Lucilla D'Abundo,
Manuela Ferracin,
Cristian Bassi,
Barbara Zagatti, Fabio Corrà,
Elena Miotto,
Laura Lupini,
Luigi Bolondi,
Laura Gramantieri,
Carlo M Croce,
Silvia Sabbioni,
Massimo Negrini
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ABSTRACT: MicroRNA-221 (miR-221) is one of the most frequently and consistently up-regulated microRNAs (miRNAs) in human cancer. It has been hypothesized that miR-221 may act as a tumor promoter. To demonstrate this, we developed a transgenic (TG) mouse model that exhibits an inappropriate overexpression of miR-221 in the liver. Immunoblotting and immunostaining confirmed a concomitant down-regulation of miR-221 target proteins. This TG model is characterized by the emergence of spontaneous nodular liver lesions in approximately 50% of male mice and by a strong acceleration of tumor development in 100% of mice treated with diethylnitrosamine. Similarly to human hepatocellular carcinoma, tumors are characterized by a further increase in miR-221 expression and a concomitant inhibition of its target protein-coding genes (i.e., cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor [Cdkn]1b/p27, Cdkn1c/p57, and B-cell lymphoma 2-modifying factor). To validate the tumor-promoting effect of miR-221, we showed that in vivo delivery of anti-miR-221 oligonucleotides leads to a significant reduction of the number and size of tumor nodules. CONCLUSIONS: This study not only establishes that miR-221 can promote liver tumorigenicity, but it also establishes a valuable animal model to perform preclinical investigations for the use of anti-miRNA approaches aimed at liver cancer therapy.
Hepatology 04/2012; 56(3):1025-33. · 11.66 Impact Factor
