Hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 inhibits the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma cells by regulating miR-122

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2016 May;142(5):969-80. doi: 10.1007/s00432-016-2121-8. Epub 2016 Jan 29.

Abstract

Purpose: Hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6) is a liver-enriched transcription factor and highly expressed in mature bile duct epithelial cells. This study sought to investigate the role of HNF6, particularly the molecular mechanisms for how HNF6 is involved in the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells.

Methods: The expression of HNF6, miR-122 and key molecules was examined by Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Stable transfectants, HCCC-HNF(low) and RBE-HNF(high), were generated from human CCA HCCC-9810 and RBE cells, respectively. The regulatory effect of HNF6 on miR-122 was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation, cycle distribution, migration and invasion were analyzed. The xenograft model was used to assess the effects of HNF6 overexpression on tumorigenesis, growth, metastasis and therapeutic potentials.

Results: Human CCA tissues and cells expressed lower levels of HNF6, which positively correlated with miR-122. HNF6 regulated the expression of miR-122 by stimulating its promoter. HNF6 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase through regulating miR-122, cyclin G1 and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. HNF6 inhibited the migration and invasion of CCA cells by regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9, reversion-inducing-cysteine-rich protein with kazal motifs, E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Co-transfection of anti-miR-122 abrogated the effects of HNF6. HNF6 overexpression inhibited the ability of cells to form tumors and to metastasize to the lungs of mice, and the growth of established tumors.

Conclusions: The results indicate that HNF6 may serve as a tumor suppressor by regulating miR-122, and its overexpression may represent a mechanism-based therapy for CCA.

Keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma; Hepatocyte nuclear factor 6; Metastasis; MicroRNA-122; Proliferation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / secondary
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / metabolism*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / pathology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / prevention & control*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 6 / genetics
  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 6 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 6
  • MIRN122 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger