MicroRNA15b regulates apoptosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma SCL-1 cell line: a mechanism study.

OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor, which is mostly common in skin epidermis or appendages. microRNA has been proved to regulate growth and survival of cells. Our study was focused on the effect of microRNA15b on cell viability and apoptosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma SCL-1 cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MicroRNA15b and control microRNA were synthesized and transfected into SCL-1 cells, respectively. Effects of transfection on SCL-1 cells were evaluated by MTT assays and flow cytometry. Western Blot was performed to examine the expression of survivin. MicroRNA15b-transfected SCL-1 cells were further intervened by siRNA targeting survivin or surviving-overexpressing plasmid. Their apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with control microRNA transfection, microRNA15b transfection significantly reduced cell viability, enhanced apoptosis and decreased protein expression of survivin. Inhibition of survivin expression enhanced microRNA15b-induced apoptosis of SCL-1 cells, while enhancement of survivin expression attenuated the apoptosis-promoting effect of microRNA15b on SCL-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA15b reduced the cell viability and promoted the apoptosis of SCL-1 cells via down-regulating the expression of survivin. MicroRNA15b could be a potential therapeutic target for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.