Abstract
Background: Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary bone cancers with predominant occurrence in children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the effects of sevoflurane treatment on the osteosarcoma progression and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Materials and methods: The mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Osteosarcoma cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were determined by MTT, caspase-3 activity, colony formation and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The interaction between miR-203 and WNT2B 3' untranslated region was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Results: Sevoflurane treatment for 6 hrs concentration-dependently suppressed cell viability, increased caspase-3 activity and up-regulated miR-203 expression in both U2OS and MG63 cells. MiR-203 overexpression suppressed cell viability, increased caspase-3 activity and suppressed cell growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. In addition, miR-203 knockdown attenuated the tumor-suppressive effects of sevoflurane treatment on osteosarcoma cells. Mechanistic studies showed that miR-203 repressed the expression of WNT2B in U2OS cells, and inhibition of miR-203 attenuated the suppressive effects of sevoflurane on WNT2B expression. More importantly, WNT2B overexpression attenuated the effects of sevoflurane treatment on cell viability, caspase-3 activity, cell growth and invasion of U2OS cells. MiR-203 overexpression suppressed Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Similarly, sevoflurane suppressed the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, which was partially reversed by miR-203 knockdown and WTN2B overexpression. Conclusion: Our data showed the tumor-suppressive effects of sevoflurane on osteosarcoma cells, and mechanistic studies revealed that sevoflurane inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion partly via targeting the miR-203/WNT2B/Wnt/β-catenin axis.