Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Effects of MicroRNA-34a: An Experimental Interference in Human Cancer Cell Lines

Saadeldin, Mariam G.; El-Khazragy, Nashwa; El-Sherif, Ahmed Abdo; El Amir, Azza M.

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2024.312104.10196

	Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Effects of MicroRNA-34a: An Experimental Interference in Human Cancer Cell Lines
Egyptian Journal of Chemistry
Volume 68, Issue 5, May 2025, Page 311-322 PDF (1.19 MB)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2024.312104.10196
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Authors
Mariam G. Saadeldin¹; Nashwa El-Khazragy ²; Ahmed Abdo El-Sherif¹; Azza M. El Amir ¹
¹Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
²Department of Clinical Pathology-Hematology and AinShams Medical Research Institute (MASRI), Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
Abstract
MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is recognized for its role as a tumor suppressor, influencing critical cellular processes such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence. Its dysregulation is linked to various cancers, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of miR-34a in three human cancer cell lines: colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco2), non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). The research involved transfecting these cell lines with miR-34a mimic and inhibitor, followed by a 48-hour incubation and assessment of cytotoxicity through cell proliferation assays. Additionally, Notch1 gene expression was evaluated using Syber-green-based Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results showed that miR-34a mimic significantly reduced cell viability in all three cancer cell lines, with a 30% decrease in Caco2 cells. Conversely, the miR-34a inhibitor increased cell viability, with Caco2, A549, and HepG2 cells showing 16%, 11%, and 14% increases, respectively. The Notch1 gene expression was notably decreased with miR-34a mimic—an 8-fold reduction in Caco2, a 4-fold reduction in A549, and a 6-fold reduction in HepG2 cells. In contrast, miR-34a inhibitor led to a significant increase in Notch1 expression. These findings highlight miR-34a's potent cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects through the downregulation of the Notch1 signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment.
Keywords
miR-34a; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Non-small cell lung cancer; Colorectal cancer; Cytotoxicity


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