MicroRNA-23a-3p overexpression represses proliferation and accelerates apoptosis of granular cells in polycystic ovarian syndrome by targeting HMGA2

• Main Authors: Junzi Wei (Author), Ping Cheng (Author), Mei Kong (Author), Ling Zhang (Author), Shuang Liu (Author), Bingxue Ning (Author), Xinlin Huang (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2172155; 1473-0766; 0951-3590
• Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome; granular cells; microRNA-23a-3p; HMGA2; Proliferation; apoptosis; Gynecology and obstetrics; RG1-991; Diseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology; RC648-665
• Source: Gynecological Endocrinology, Vol 39, Iss 1 (2023)

Objective Granular cells (GCs) are involved in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) progression. MicroRNA (miR)-23a downregulation is linked to PCOS development. Therefore, this research explored the influences of miR-23a-3p on GC proliferation and apoptosis in PCOS.Methods Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were conducted to examine miR-23a-3p and HMGA2 expression in GCs of patients with PCOS. Then, miR-23a-3p and/or HMGA2 expression was altered in GCs (KGN and SVOG), after which miR-23a-3p, HMGA2, Wnt2, and β-catenin expression, GC viability, and GC apoptosis were measured by RT-qPCR and western blotting, MTT assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized to assess the targeting relationship between miR-23a-3p and HMGA2. Finally, GC viability and apoptosis were tested after the combined treatment of miR-23a-3p mimic and pcDNA3.1-HMGA2.Results miR-23a-3p was poorly expressed but HMGA2 was overexpressed in GCs of patients with PCOS. Mechanistically, HMGA2 was negatively targeted by miR-23a-3p in GCs. Furthermore, miR-23a-3p inhibition or HMGA2 upregulation elevated viability and reduced apoptosis of KGN and SVOG cells, along with increased Wnt2 and β-catenin expression. In KNG cells, HMGA2 overexpression abrogated the impacts of miR-23a-3p overexpression on GC viability and apoptosis.Conclusions Collectively, miR-23a-3p decreased HMGA2 expression to block the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby depressing viability and facilitating apoptosis of GCs.