MiRNA profile of osteosarcoma with CD117 and stro-1 expression: miR-1247 functions as an onco-miRNA by targeting MAP3K9.

microRNAs (miRNA) are regulators of gene expression, but little is known about miRNA expression profiles in stem cells of osteosarcoma (OS). C117 and Stro-1 are known stem cell markers of OS. In the study, CD117 and stro-1 positive (CD117(+)stro-1(+)) and CD117 and stro-1 negative (CD117(-)stro-1(-)) cells were isolated from MG63 cells CD117(+)stro-1(+) cells showed more metastatic ability and stem cell formation rate than CD117(-)stro-1(-) ones. To find the difference between CD117(+)stro-1(+) and CD117(-)stro-1(-) cells, the miRNA expression profile was examined using DNA microarray. MicroRNAs were differentially expressed in osteosarcoma cells with CD117(+)stro-1(+) and CD117(-)stro-1(-). The significant miRNAs included miR-15a, miR-302a, miR-423-5p, miR-1247, miR-1243 and others, which were confirmed by real time RT-PCR. The significant down-regulated miR-1247 was confirmed that was a potential tumor suppressor by targeting MAP3K9. Our results indicated that dysregulation of miRNAs is involved in osteosarcoma and miR-1247 plays an important role in progression of osteosarcoma.