Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Late diagnosis at an advanced, inoperable stage makes chemotherapy a treatment of choice, yet, with low response rates. The hedgehog signaling pathway (HHSP) is often reactivated in cancer. We identified miR-182-5p as a regulator of GLI2, a transcriptional regulator of the HHSP, and explored the role of the miR-182-5p/GLI2 axis in carcinogenesis and cisplatin resistance of lung adenocarcinoma (LADC). Expression of miRNAs and target genes was analyzed by RT-qPCR, expression of the GLI-protein family in LADC and adjacent lung tissue (n = 27 pairs) by immunohistochemistry. MiR-182-5p was manipulated, and data were generated by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, apoptosis, proliferation/viability, dual-luciferase-, and colony forming assays. MiR-182-5p was down-regulated in cisplatin-resistant LADC cells and directly targeted GLI2. Interference with miR-182-5p or GLI2 silencing resulted in modulation of cell proliferation, clonogenic potential, and cisplatin-sensitivity. HHSP was markedly reactivated in LADC tissue compared to adjacent non-malignant lung tissue. Our results indicate that the miR-182-5p/GLI2 axis modulates tumorigenesis and cisplatin-resistance in LADC cells, by influencing the HHSP. Therefore, this axis might be considered as a potential biomarker and future therapeutic target in LADC patients.
Keywords: Chemoresistance; Cisplatin; Hedgehog signaling pathway; Lung adenocarcinoma; miRNA.
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