Roles of MiR-101 and its target gene Cox-2 in early diagnosis of cervical cancer in Uygur women.

AIMS: Early diagnosis is important for cervical cancer treatment. This study aimed to characteriz the microRNA profile and target gene protein levels of cervical cancers in Uygur women for application in early diagnosis.

METHODS

The profiles of miRNA in cervical cancer and chronic cervicitis were analyzed with miRNAmicroarray V4.0. The expression of miR-101 was detected by real-time PCR and locked nucleotide acid in situ hybridization (LNA-ISH). Cox-2 protein levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The microarray identified a set of 12 miRNAs significantly decreased in cervical cancer in comparison to the control group. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed miR-101 to be significantly downregulated in cancer tissues (p<0.05) while LNA-ISH showed miR-101 positive rates of 80% (20/25) and 8% (5/25) (p<0.05) in the control and cervical cancer groups. Cox-2 positive rates of cervical cancer and control groups were 84% (21/25) and 8% (2/25) (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of down-regulation of miR-101 and up-regulation of Cox-2 as markers may play a role in early diagnosis of cervical cancer in Uygur women.