Abstract
Objective: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is featured by early metastasis and late diagnosis. MicroRNA-301 (miR-301) is known to participate in diverse cancers. Nevertheless, effects of miR-301 on ESCC remain unexplored. Thus, we aim to explore the role of miR-301 in ESCC progression. Methods: Expression of miR-301 and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) in ESCC tissues and cell lines was assessed. Next, the screened cells were treated with altered miR-301 or PTEN oligonucleotide and plasmid, and then, the colony formation ability, cell viability, migration, invasion, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of ESCC cells were assessed. Moreover, tumor growth and microvessel density (MVD) were also assessed, and the targeting relationship between miR-301 and PTEN was affirmed. Results: MiR-301 was upregulated, and PTEN was downregulated in ESCC tissues and cells. KYSE30 cells and Eca109 cells were selected for functional assays. In KYSE30 cells, inhibited miR-301 or overexpressed PTEN suppressed cell malignant behaviors, and silenced PTEN eliminated the impact of miR-301 inhibition on ESCC progression. In Eca109 cells, miR-301 overexpression or PTEN inhibition promoted cell malignant behaviors, and PTEN overexpression reversed the effects of miR-301 elevation on ESCC progression. The in vivo assay revealed that miR-301 inhibition or PTEN overexpression repressed ESCC tumor growth and MVD, and miR-301 elevation or PTEN reduction had contrary effects. Moreover, PTEN was targeted by miR-301. Conclusion: Taken together, results in our study revealed that miR-301 affected cell growth, metastasis and angiogenesis via regulating PTEN expression in ESCC.