MicroRNA-183-5p negatively regulates interleukin-8 expression in cervical cancer cells.

Objectives: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and microRNA-183-5p (hsa-miR-183-5p) have been implicated in the development of cervical cancer, yet their relationship has not been explored. This study aims to determine whether phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced IL-8 expression is regulated by hsa-miR-183-5p in cervical cancer cells. Methods: Bioinformatics algorithms were employed to predict the potential binding of hsa-miR-183-5p to the 3'UTR of IL-8 mRNA. CaSKi cervical cancer cells were used as a model to investigate this regulation. The expression levels of hsa-miR-183-5p and IL-8 were measured using Taqman assays through real-time polymerase chain reaction, while IL-8 protein levels were quantified in culture media through IL-8 specific Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Luciferase reporter assays and transfections with pre- or anti-miR-183-5p were conducted to validate the binding of hsa-miR-183-5p to IL-8 mRNA's 3'UTR. Results: The bioinformatics tool TargetScan identified a seed-matched sequence for hsa-miR-183-5p in the 3'UTR of IL-8 mRNA. PMA-induced IL-8 expression was inversely correlated with hsa-miR-183-5p down regulation in cervical cancer cells. hsa-miR-183-5p significantly reduced luciferase activity in the 3'UTR-IL-8 reporter assay. Transfection with pre-miR-183-5p led to a notable decrease in IL-8 mRNA and protein secretion, while anti-miR-183-5p transfection caused a significant increase in IL-8 mRNA and protein levels in PMA-treated cells. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that hsa-miR-183-5p directly regulates IL-8 expression in cervical cancer cells. Both IL-8 and hsa-miR-183-5p could serve as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of cervical cancer.