Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on expression of host gene focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its intronic microRNA (miR-151) in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and explore the possible mechanism of its anti-tumor effect. Methods HepG2 cells cultured in vitro were treated with 50, 100, 150 and 200 μmol/L Res for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. CCK-8 assay was employed to examine the cell proliferation, and the expression of FAK mRNA and miR-151 was detected by Real-Time PCR. Transfection with miR-151 mimics was conducted, and HepG cells with miR-15 overexpression were obtained (miR-151 overexpression group). Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining were adopted to detect the effects of miR-15 overexpression on cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Cells transfected with mimics mutants and those without transfection were served as negative controls and blank controls, respectively. Results Res significantly inhibited the cell proliferation and decrease the expression of FAK mRNA and miR-151 of HepG2 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner to some degree. The expression of miR-151 of HepG2 cells in miR-151 overexpression group was significantly higher than that in negative control group and blank control group (P<0.001). Detection by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that miR-151 overexpression shortened G0/G1 phase, fastened cell cycle progression and inhibited cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Conclusion Res may inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells through down-regulation of expression of miR-151.

Key words: resveratrol, hepatocellular carcinoma, microRNA, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis