HIF-1α Promotes Breast Cancer Cell MCF-7 Proliferation and Invasion Through Regulating miR-210.

OBJECTIVE: Many malignant tumors grow in hypoxic condition, which is associated with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. MicroRNAs are of great significance in the development of multiple malignant tumors. This study cultured breast cancer cell MCF-7 under the condition of different concentrations of oxygen, to test cell proliferation and invasion, and detect miR-210 expression, aiming to analyze the influence of hypoxia on breast cancer cell behaviors as well as miR-210 expressions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast cancer cell MCF-7 was cultured under normoxia, hypoxia, or anaerobic conditions for 12, 24, or 48 hours. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell invasion and migration were tested by transwell assay. HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 expressions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: MCF-7 cell proliferation was gradually increased following time extension (p < 0.05). MCF-7 cell exhibited higher proliferation, invasion, and migration activities in hypoxic and anaerobic groups compared with those in normoxic group during the same time period. HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 were significantly upregulated in anaerobic group compared with those in other groups (p < 0.05). HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 were obviously elevated at 12, 24, and 48 hours (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: MCF-7 cell proliferation was increased, invasion and migration were enhanced, with upregulated expression of HIF-1α mRNA and miR-210 in the hypoxic and anaerobic group following time extension.