miR-181a Upregulation Promotes Radioresistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Targeting RKIP.

BACKGROUND: Radioresistance is the leading cause of treatment failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Therefore, screening the critical regulators in radioresistance and revealing the underlying mechanisms is imperative for improvement of therapeutical efficacy in NPC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our previous study has proved that miR-181a may serve as a pro-radioresistant miRNA. In this study, we explored the expression of miR-181a in NPC, especially in radioresistant NPC samples, by qPCR. Moreover, the clinical significance of miR-181a level was also analyzed. Furthermore, the functions of miR-181a, both in vitro and in vivo, were detected via a serial of assays such as CCK-8, plate clone survival, apoptosis, and xenograft tumor model. The downstream target of miR-181a was also validated by dual luciferase reporter assay and the roles of miR-181a's target in the regulation of NPC radioresistance were investigated.
RESULTS: The results revealed that miR-181a was significantly upregulated in NPC, especially in radioresistant NPC. MiR-181a level is positively correlated to lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stages and negatively associated with overall survival rate in NPC. Ectopic expression of miR-181a in radiosensitive NPC cells, or overexpression of miR-181a inhibitor in radioresistant NPC cells, could enhance or impair the radioresistance of NPC cells supported by the results from both in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mechanistically, dual luciferase report assay indicated that miR-181a could directly target RKIP. Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo experimental outcomes indicated that RKIP restoration and knockdown could antagonize the effects of miR-181a and miR-181a inhibitor in the regulation of NPC radioresistance.
CONCLUSION: Collectively, the findings of this study proved that miR-181a is upregulated and promotes radioresistance by targeting RKIP in NPC. Targeting miR-181a/RKIP axis may be a valid path for reinforcing radiosensitivity and eventually improving the outcomes of clinical treatment in NPC.

Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), originating from the nasopharyngeal mucosal lining, is one of malignant head and neck tumors and is prevalent in South China. Radiotherapy is the primary treatment for NPC, and most patients at an early stage can benefit a lot from radiotherapy alone. However, some NPC patients, especially for patients at advanced stages, tend to exhibit resistance to radiotherapy. Although combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy indeed improve the treatment outcome, radioresistance still accounts for the leading causes of relapse and eventual treatment failure.1–3 Therefore, it is vital and urgent to explore the molecular mechanisms of radioresistance and identify new targets for clinical treatments.

miRNAs, a class of no coding RNAs consisting of 18–22 nt, play vital roles in almost every physiological and pathological processes via regulating genes expression. Aberrant expression of miRNAs has been implicated in every malignant characteristic of cancer, absolutely including radioresistance.4,5 A host of radioresistance related miRNAs in different cancers have been revealed by studies.5,6 Recently, we performed miRNA microarrays analysis to explore the distinct expression profiles between CNE2-IR, a radioresistant NPC cell line, and CNE2, a radiosensitive NPC cell line. A series of miRNAs, maybe involving radioresistance regulation, have been presented.7 Subsequently, we confirmed that miR-203, −23a and −125b could regulate radiosensitivity of NPC by modulating Stat3, AKT and NF-κB signaling activities via targeting IL-8 and A20, respectively.8–10 However, more efforts are needed to identify the expressions of the rest miRNAs and to explore its roles in radioresistance of NPC.

The aberrant expression of RKIP (Raf kinase inhibitory protein) and its suppressive roles, in a Raf dependent or independent manner, has been exclusively revealed in a plethora of cancers. Downregulation of RKIP releases the suppression on downstream oncogenic signaling regulators like ERK, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, STAT3, and subsequently promotes malignant progression involving proliferation, metastasis, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance.11–13 Compared with its downstream effect mechanisms, the upstream mechanisms, accounting for the inactivation of RKIP, have been explored much less. Both transcriptional, like promoter hypermethylation14 and Snail mediated transcription inhibition,15 and post-transcriptional mechanisms, like miRNAs mediated mRNA degradation,16 have been involved in the regulation of RKIP among multiple cancers. Recently, we also revealed that loss of RKIP could enhance the radioresistance of NPC cells by regulating AKT and ERK signaling.17 However, the underlying reason for RKIP inactivation has still been obscure in NPC.

Interestingly, online bioinformatic analysis implied that miR-181, one of the potentially upregulated miRNAs in CNE2-IR cells, may be a negative regulator of RKIP, suggesting that miR-181a may exert pro-radioresistant roles in NPC by targeting RKIP. Therefore, in this study, we verified the expression of miR-181a in NPC cells and tissues. Subsequently, we explored the functions of miR-181a and the role of RKIP in miR-181a associated functions in NPC. Our outcomes showed that miR-181a is upregulated in NPC, especially in radioresistant NPC tissues. Moreover, miR-181a could promote radioresistance of NPC by targeting RKIP, indicating miR-181a/RKIP axis could be an effective target for radiosensitization in NPC treatment.

Materials and Methods

Cell Lines

CNE2-IR, a radioresistant NPC cell line, and CNE2, a radiosensitive NPC cell line, were applied in the study. The establishment procedure of CNE2-IR cell were indicated in our previous study.18 The usage of CNE2 and CNE2-IR cells were approved by the ethics committee of The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. CNE2-IR and CNE2 cells were maintained with RPMI-1640 (BI, Jerusalem, Israel) medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum (BI, Jerusalem, Israel).

Tissue Samples

One hundred one cases of paraffin-embedded NPC specimens from newly diagnosed NPC patients without distal metastasis, who received radiation therapy alone, and 25 cases of paraffin-embedded normal nasopharyngeal mucosa (NNM) specimens from non-cancerous patients, from the First Hospital of Chengzhou City between Jan 2007 and Dec 2009, were enrolled in the study. The criteria for differentiating radioresistance and radiosensitivity and the procedure of follow-up were detailly described in our previous study.17 This study was approved by the ethics committee of the First Hospital of Chengzhou City, China. Written informed consent was obtained from all enrolled participants in the study.

RNA Isolation and qPCR Detection

Total RNA was isolated from paraffin-embedded tissues and NPC cells using RecoverAll™ Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit (Thermo Fisher, CA, USA) and TrizolTM reagent (Thermo Fisher, CA, USA), respectively, according to the instructions. Then, miDETECT A Track miRNA qPCR Kit (RiBoBio, Guangzhou, China) was applied to reversely transcribe mRNAs into cDNA and detect the relative expression of miR-181a using specific primers. The level of snRNA U6 was simultaneously detected for normalization of miR-181a expression employing the comparative Ct method. The primers for miR-181a (catalog number, MQPS0000317-1) and U6 (catalog number, miRA0000256-1) were purchased from RiBoBio Inc (Guangzhou, China) and the sequence information was not offered for commercial confidentiality.

Stable Cell Line Establishment

Lentivirus particles for expression of miR-181a, miR-181a inhibitor, RKIP, and shRKIP were purchased from Genechem Inc (Shanghai, China). CNE2 and CNE2-IR cells were infected with the miR-181a and miR-181a inhibitor lentivirus particles, respectively, which simultaneously express the anti-hygromycin gene. Then, CNE2-miR-181a and CNE2-IR-miR-181a-inhibitor cell lines were obtained by culturing cells with medium containing hygromycin for two weeks. Accordingly, CNE2-miR-181a-RKIP and CNE2-IR-miR-181a-inhibitor-shRKIP were acquired by infecting CNE2-miR-181a and CNE2-IR-miR-181a-inhibitor cells with RKIP and shRNA lentivirus particles, which also express the anti-puromycin gene, and subsequently cultured with medium containing puromycin. The control cell lines were also constructed similarly.

Cell Viability Assay

The CCK-8 assay was adopted to analyze cell viability according to our previous description.17 Briefly, cells were seeded into a 96-well plate at a density of 1×104 cells per well. One day later, the cells were irradiated at a dose of 4Gy. Then, the CCK-8 reagent(Beyotime, Shanghai, China) was added into the cell medium every day for four days. One hour after CCK-8 addition, the absorbance of every well at 450nm was detected with a spectrophotometer (BioTek, WI, USA). Three paralleled wells were set for every group, and the experiments were independently performed for three times.

Plate Clone Survival Assay

Plate clone survival assay was similarly applied as previously described by us.17 Simply, 1×103 cells/well were seeded into 6-well plate and received 4Gy irradiation 24 hrs later. Then, the cells were successively cultured for eight days and subsequently stained with 0.5% crystal violet. The clones containing ≥ 50 cells were counted under an inverse microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). The mean clones of three paralleled wells were calculated, and the experiments were independently repeated in triplicate.

Flow Cytometric Apoptosis Assay

The apoptotic rates of cells exposed to 4Gy irradiation were detected by BD FACSCelesta™ Flow cytometer (BD, LA, USA) using Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit (Bioss, Beijing, China) according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Briefly, 48 hrs after irradiation, the cells were collected and washed by pre-cold PBS for twice. Then the cells were resuspended by 1×bind buffer and simultaneously stained with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide for 15 mins at room temperature. The data were analyzed by Flowjo software version 7.6 (OR, USA). At last, the apoptosis of cells was detected by flow cytometer analysis.

Western Blot

The procedures of total proteins extraction and Western blot were performed according to our previous description.17 Simply, the cells were disrupted by RIPA lysis and the total proteins were collected by centrifugation. The denatured proteins (30 μg per lane) were separated by SDS-PAGE and subsequently transmitted into 0.22μm PVDF membrane. After blocked with 5% nonfat milk at room temperature for 1 hr, the membrane was incubated with rabbit anti-RKIP antibody (BBI, Shanghai, China) and mouse anti-GAPDH antibody (Abclonal, Wuhan, China), respectively, overnight at 4°C. Next, after incubated with anti-rabbit or anti-mouse IgG HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies, the protein amounts were visualized by chemiluminescent HRP substrate (EpiZyme, Shanghai, China). The equipment and the software of visualization are FluorChem FC3 (Protein Simple, CA, USA) and AlphaView SA (Protein Simple, CA, USA), respectively.

Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay

Luciferase reporter plasmids, the psiCHECK2-Wt-RKIP plasmid containing wild 3ʹ-UTR and the psiCHECK2-Mut-RKIP containing mutant 3ʹ-UTR, were constructed from the psiCHECK2 vector following the manufacturer’s instruction (Promega Corporation, WI, USA). Then, miR-181a mimics were co-transfected with psiCHECK2-Wt-RKIP and psiCHECK2-Mut-RKIP into CNE2 cells, respectively, using HighGene Transfection reagent (Abclonal, Wuhan, China). Forty-eight hours later, the luciferase activity was detected using a Dual-Luciferase Reporter detection System (Promega Corporation, WI, USA). The relative luciferase activity was demonstrated by the ratio of firefly luciferase to Renilla luciferase activity.

In vivo Tumor Radioresponse Assay

In vivo tumor radioresponse assay was performed according to our previous study with slight modification.17 Briefly, Nude male mice, four weeks old, were raised under specific pathogen-free circumstances. NPC cells were subcutaneously injected into the flanks of mice at 2 × 106 cells/mouse (n = 5 each group). Upon the volumes of xenograft tumors reached approximately 50 mm3, the mice were subjected to irradiation at 6 Gy for one time. Three weeks later, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation, and the xenograft tumors were excised, weighted, and cut in half, with one half fixed and embedded in paraffin for immunohistochemical staining, and the remaining half flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen for reserve. The animal experiment was performed following the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of Central South University, with the approval of the Scientific Investigation Board of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Immunohistochemistry

The level of RKIP (BBI, Shanghai, China) and γH2AX (phospho-S139, Abclonal, Wuhan, China), a marker for DNA double-strand breaks,19 in xenografts were detected by immunohistochemical staining as our previous description. The score of IHC staining was calculated according to the rules based on staining intensity and relative staining area. Absent, weak, moderate, and strong staining was assigned as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 0%, 0–30%, 30~60%, and > 60% of staining cells were assigned as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The eventual staining score was the sum of the intensity score and area score. The rate of DNA damaged cells, indicated by γH2AX staining, was obtained by counting the percentage of staining cells in ten random selected microscopic fields under an inverse microscope (Leica, Solms, Germany).

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis and charts were carried out using Graphpad Prism 6.0 software. Student’s t-test or chi-square test was applied in comparisons between the two groups. The survival curve was achieved via the Kaplan–Meier method, and the statistical comparison was performed by using the Log rank test. P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

miR-181a Is Upregulated and Negatively Correlates to the Prognosis in NPC

Our miRNAs microarray screening results indicated that miR-181a might be upregulated in radioresistant CNE2-IR cells.7 Therefore, qPCR was applied to verify the expression of miR-181a in CNE2 and CNE2-IR cells. As Figure 1A indicating, the miR-181a level is significantly upregulated in CNE2-IR cells. Subsequently, we further detected the expression of miR-181a in NPC and NNM tissue samples and analyzed the relationships between miR-181a expression and clinicopathological factors. Accordingly, the miR-181a level in NPC was obviously higher than that in NNM (Figure 1B). Furthermore, the level of miR-181a in radioresistant NPC tissues was significantly higher than that in radiosensitive NPC tissues (Figure 1C, Table 1). Similarly, miR-181a upregulation positively correlated to primary T stage, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage (Table 1), implying that miR-181a may correlate with NPC prognosis. Indeed, the expression of miR-181a demonstrated an inverse correlation to the overall survival of NPC patients indicating by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (Figure 1D). Therefore, we revealed that miR-181a is upregulated in NPC, especially for radioresistant NPC, and negatively correlates to the prognosis in NPC.

Figure 1

Mir-181a is upregulated in radioresistant NPC and negatively correlates to the prognosis of NPC.

Notes: qPCR assays indicated that miR-181a was upregulated in CNE2-IR cells (1.012±0.125 vs 3.12±0.35) (A), NPC tissue samples (0.951±0.517 vs 2.075±0.935) (B) and radioresistant NPC tissue samples (1.696±0.881 vs 2.529±0.792) (C) compared with CNE2, NNM tissue samples, and radiosensitive NPC tissue samples, respectively. (D) The patient of high miR-181a exhibited poor overall survival demonstrating by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. ***Stands for P <0.001.

Table 1

Correlation Between miR-181a Level and Clinicopathological Characteristics in NPC (N=101, χ2 Test)

Variables	N	MiR-181a Level		P
Low (36)	High (65)
Gender
Male	62	25	37	0.216
Female	39	11	28
Age
≤ 45	42	18	24	0.202
>45	59	18	41
Primary T stage
T1-2	38	20	18	0.006
T3-4	63	16	47
Lymph node (N) metastasis
N0	45	32	13	0.006
N1-3	56	4	52
TNM stage
I-II	40	21	19	0.004
III-IV	61	15	46
Radiation response
Sensitivity	48	23	25	0.014
Resistance	53	13	40
Smoking history
Yes	49	20	29	0.292
No	52	16	36

Notes: The bolded textes of “P value” indicate statistically significant differences.

miR-181a Promotes Radioresistance of NPC Cells

Since miR-181a is upregulated in radioresistant CNE2-IR cells, we subsequently explored the influences of miR-181a expression fluctuation on the radioresistance of NPC cells. Firstly, stable cell lines, CNE2-IR-miR181a-inhibitor, and CNE2-miR181a, along with control cells, were established by lentivirus particles transfection. Then, the radiation sensitivity of NPC cells was analyzed by CCK-8, plate clone survival, and apoptosis assays under irradiation treatment (4Gy). miR-181a inhibitors significantly sensitized CNE2-IR cells to irradiation indicating by reduced cell viability (Figure 2A, upper panel), fewer survival clones (Figure 2B, left panel), and increased apoptotic rate(Figure 2C, left panel); whereas, ectopic expression of miR-181a remarkably reinforced the tolerance of CNE2 cells to irradiation demonstrating by improved cell viability (Figure 2A, lower panel), more survival clones (Figure 2B, right panel), and decreased apoptotic rate (Figure 2C, right panel). Thus, these results manifested that miR-181a can promote radioresistance of NPC cells.

Figure 2

Mir-181a promotes NPC radioresistance in vitro.

Notes: Ectopic expression of miR-181a improved the cell viability (A, upper panel), survival clones (B, left panel, 85±12 vs 185±23), and non-apoptotic cell rates (C, left panel, 15.02±2.51 vs 9.1±1.49) of CNE2 under 4Gy irradiation. Accordingly, overexpression of miR-181a inhibitor impaired the cell viability (A, lower panel), survival clones (B, right panel, 201±28 vs 80±14), and non-apoptotic cell rates (C, right panel, 8.31±1.12 vs 14.53±2.35) of CNE2-IR under 4Gy irradiation. *Stands for P <0.05, **Stands for P <0.01.

miR-181a Can Target RKIP in NPC

The functions of miRNAs depend on its regulated mRNAs. Therefore, we next tried to identify the target of miR-181a in NPC. The potential targets of miR-181a were subsequently analyzed by using Starbase 3.0, an integrated database for RNA interactome based on the large-scale CLIP-Seq data.20 A multitude of targets of miR-181a were obtained such as TNPO1, HMGB2, and CBX4 etc. Interestingly, according to the prediction of Starbase 3.0, RKIP,20 whose radiosensitization function in NPC has been revealed by our recent study,17 may be a target of miR-181a, suggesting miR-181a may promote radioresistance of NPC by targeting RKIP. Therefore, we analyzed the mRNA and protein level of RKIP in CNE2 and CNE2-IR cells transfected with miR-181a and miR-181a inhibitor, respectively. As the qPCR and Western blot shown (Figure 3A and B), miR-181a overexpression significantly downregulated, while miR-181a inhibitor upregulation remarkably upregulated the mRNA and protein level of RKIP in CNE2 and CNE2-IR cells, respectively. Indeed, these results indicated that miR-181a could regulate RKIP in NPC cells; however, whether miR181a could directly target RKIP in NPC cells remains unknown. Thus, dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the detailed mechanism. As shown in Figure 3C, miR-181a mimics could notably inhibit luciferase signaling in CNE2 cells transfected with wild 3ʹUTR RKIP plasmids, but not in cells transfected with mutant 3ʹUTR RKIP plasmids. Taken together, our results proved that miR-181a could directly target RKIP in NPC cells.

Figure 3

Mir-181a could directly target RKIP in NPC.

Notes: qPCR and Western blot assays showed that miR-181a overexpression could inhibit RKIP mRNA (A, left panel, 1.02±0.11 vs 0.36±0.08) and RKIP protein (B, left panel) level, while miR-181a inhibitor overexpression could upregulate RKIP mRNA (A, right panel, 1.03±0.12 vs 2.5±0.29) and RKIP protein (B, right panel) level. (C) The relative luciferase activity of CNE2 transfected with wild type RKIP reporter plasmid was significantly inhibited (1.03±0.14 vs 0.35±0.08), whereas, the no inhibitory effect was not observed in CNE2 transfected with mutant type RKIP reporter plasmid(1.02±0.13 vs 0.93±0.12). **Stands for P <0.01, ns stands for “no significant difference.”

miR-181a Promotes Radioresistance of NPC Cells via Suppressing RKIP in vitro

Considering miR-181a can directly inhibit RKIP in NPC cells, we further explored the role of RKIP in miR-181a related NPC radioresistance. Thus, we detected the effects of ectopic RKIP expression or RKIP knockdown on the radiation sensitivity of NPC cells. Accordingly, we re-infected CNE2-miR181a and CNE2-IR-miR181a-inhibitor cells with RKIP expression and knockdown lentivirus particles, respectively. Ectopic expression of RKIP (without 3ʹ untranslated region) could rescue the level of RKIP (Figure 4A, left panel) and re-sensitize the cells to irradiation, indicated by impaired cell viability (Figure 4B, left panel), decreased survival clones (Figure 4C, upper panel), and upregulated apoptosis (Figure 4D, left panel), in CNE2-miR181a cells. Whereas, RKIP knockdown successfully re-reduced the level of RKIP (Figure 4A, right panel) and re-enhanced the tolerance of cells to irradiation, demonstrated by improved cell viability (Figure 4B, right panel), increased survival clones (Figure 4C, upper panel), and downregulated apoptosis (Figure 4D, right panel), in CNE2-IR-miR181a-inhibitor cells. Therefore, these in vitro outcomes demonstrated that miR-181a could promote radioresistance of NPC cells by inhibiting RKIP.

Figure 4

Mir-181a promotes NPC radioresistance via targeting RKIP in vitro.

Notes: (A) Western blot showed that miR-181a overexpression notably downregulated RKIP in CNE2 cells which could be rescued by ectopic expression of RKIP (left panel). Accordingly, miR-181a inhibitor overexpression significantly upregulated RKIP in CNE2-IR cells, which could be inhibited by specific small interfering RNA targeting RKIP (right panel). Upon 4 Gy irradiation, CCK-8, clone survival, and apoptosis assays indicated that miR-181a overexpression significantly reinforced cell viability (B, left panel), promoted cell survival (C, upper panel, 88±11 vs 183±21 vs 92±13), and decreased apoptosis (D, left panel, 15.84±2.82 vs 8.6±1.31 vs 13.12±2.13), and these effects could be antagonized by ectopic RKIP, in CNE2 cells; while, miR-181a inhibitor overexpression remarkably impaired cell viability (B, right panel), inhibited cell survival (C, lower panel, 198±25 vs 83±12 vs 183±12), and promoted apoptosis (D, right panel, 8.43±0.99 vs 13.62±1.87 vs 9.22±1.98), and these effects could be rescued siRNA mediated RKIP knockdown, in CNE2-IR cells. *Stands for P <0.05, **Stands for P <0.01.

miR-181a Can Promote Radioresistance of NPC Cells via Suppressing RKIP in vivo

Next, we further explored whether miR-181a could enhance the tolerance of NPC cells to irradiation by targeting RKIP in vivo. NPC cells were subcutaneously injected into nude mice, and the NPC xenografts were treated by 6 Gy irradiation. By comparing the weight of xenografts, we observed that ectopic expression of miR-181a improved the sufferance of CNE2 xenografts to irradiation, and this effect could be antagonized by ectopic expression of RKIP CNE2 cells (Figure 5A); while miR-181a inhibitor overexpression significantly sensitized the CNE2-IR xenografts to irradiation, and this effect could be abolished when RKIP was further knocked down in CNE2-IR cells (Figure 5B). Consistent with the expression in NPC cells in vitro, the expression pattern of RKIP in xenografts was confirmed by IHC staining (Figure 5C). Moreover, as the γH2AX staining pattern indicated (Figure 5C), miR-181a could alleviate the degree of DNA damage in tumors originated from CNE2 cells and this effect could be counteracted by RKIP knockdown; whereas miR-181a inhibitor could aggravate the degree of DNA damage in tumors originated from CNE2-IR cells and this effect could be antagonized by ectopic expression of RKIP. Thus, these results indicated that miR-181a could promote radioresistance of NPC cells via suppressing RKIP in vivo.

Figure 5

Mir-181a promotes NPC radioresistance by inhibiting RKIP in vivo.

Notes: The mice bearing xenografts were treated by 6Gy irradiation, and the tumors were resected and photographed. In line with the results in vitro, demonstrated by weight of xenografts, miR-181a overexpression enhanced the irradiation tolerance of CNE2 cells, and ectopic expression of RKIP re-sensitized CNE2 cells to irradiation (0.074±0.04 vs 0.322±0.03 vs 0.192±0.03) (A); similarly, miR-181a inhibitor overexpression sensitized CNE2-IR cells to irradiation, and RKIP knockdown re-reinforced the tolerance of CNE2-IR cells to irradiation (0.572±0.12 vs 0.186±0.06 vs 0.392±0.03) (B). (C) As the IHC staining of RKIP showed, the expression of RKIP pattern in xenografts was consistent with expression pattern in its corresponding NPC cells(4.4±1.02 vs 1.8±0.75 vs 4±0.63; 1.6±0.8 vs 4.2±0.75 vs 1.8±0.0.75). As the staining of γH2AX indicated, miR-181a overexpression alleviated the degree of DNA damage, which could be antagonized by ectopic expression of RKIP, in CNE2 cells (40±7.07 vs 24±3.74 vs 36.2±6.33); accordingly, miR-181a inhibitor upregulation enhanced the degree of DNA damage which could be counteracted by RKIP knockdown, in CNE2-IR cells (24.8±3.19 vs 41.6±6.95 vs 24±3.74). **Stands for P <0.01, ***Stands for P <0.001.

Discussion

Radioresistance is the critical cause of progression and treatment failure in NPC.1–3 The prominent roles of miRNAs in the regulation of radioresistance have been indicated by dozens of studies in multiple tumors, especially for NPC, which is preferably sensitive to irradiation.5,21,22 Differential expression of various miRNAs has been observed between radioresistant and radiosensitive NPC. For example, we have explored the differential miRNA profiles between radioresistant and radiosensitive NPC cells7 and proved that miR-23a and miR-203 are downregulated in radioresistant NPC cell. Moreover, miR-23a and miR-203 downregulation positively correlate to TNM stage and prognoses like OS and disease-free survival (DFS).8,9 Aberrant expression of miRNAs such as miR-19b-3p,23 −24-3p,24,25 185-3p,26 and −324-3p,27 etc. in radioresistant NPC have also been revealed by other groups. According to the outcome of miRNA profiles,7 we further revealed that miR-181a was upregulated in NPC, especially in radioresistant NPC, and miR-181a upregulation inversely correlated with the prognosis of NPC, suggesting that miR-181a plays vital roles in the regulation of radioresistance in NPC.

Aberrant expression of miR-181a and its dual roles in carcinogenesis have been widely revealed in various cancers. miR-181a upregulation, as a result of transcriptional activation caused by activity alteration of upstream transcription regulators,28 can exert oncogenic roles in the regulation of malignant progressions in multiple cancers including ovarian cancer,29 gastric cancer,30 clear cell kidney cancer31 and thyroid cancer,32 etc. Meanwhile, miR-181a deregulation or inhibition, due to promoter methylation, lnc RNA and circ RNA related sponge, and the anti-tumor roles of miR-181a has also been observed in other cancers such as lung cancer,33 colorectal cancer,34 cutaneous35 and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.36 The roles of miR-181a in the regulation of irradiation sensitivity are dependent on cancer types. For example, miR-181a is upregulated in radioresistant cervical cancer tissues and accounts for the radioresistance of cervical cancer.37 In contrast, upon exposure to irradiation, miR-181a was downregulated in glioma U87MG cells, and miR-181a restoration could sensitize U87MG cells to radiation.38 In line with the study in cervical cancer, ectopic expression of miR-181a could reinforce the irradiation tolerance of CNE2 cells; meanwhile, miR-181a inhibitor could sensitize CNE2-IR cells to irradiation demonstrating miR-181a could promote radioresistance of NPC.

The function of miRNAs is dependent on its target genes. Quiet a few targets of miR-181a, which are involved in regulation of multiple biological processes of cancers, have been identified by previous studies. PRKCD, one of the pro-apoptotic genes, and BCL-2, one of the anti-apoptotic genes, have mediated the radiosensitive and radioresistant effects of miR-181a in cervical cancer37 and glioma,38 respectively, proving the tissue-specific functions of miR-181a again. In NPC, Wang et al indicated that miR-181a could also target CPEB2 to regulate the sensitivity of NPC cells to paclitaxel.39 However, the target, which accounts for the pro-radioresistant roles of miR-181a in NPC, has not been validated. RKIP, one of the candidate targets of miR-181a, whose downregulation and pro-radiosensitive roles in cancers, including NPC,17 prostate cancer40 and lung cancer,41 have been confirmed by other groups and us, was selected for validation. Indeed, we proved that miR-181a could target RKIP and RKIP restoration could antagonize the pro-radioresistant effects of miR-181a both in vitro and in vivo.

Collectively, in the present work, we demonstrate that miR-181a is upregulated in radioresistant NPC and negatively correlates with prognosis of NPC. miR-181a could promote radioresistance of NPC via directly target RKIP suggesting miR-181a/RKIP axis is critical in the regulation of irradiation sensitivity and may serve as a potential target to improve radiation sensitivity in NPC treatment.