Exosome-derived miR-23a-5p inhibits HCC proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating PRDX2 expression: MiR-23a-5p/PRDX2 axis in HCC progression

Yang Zhao; Jun Liu; Zhengping Xiong; Shanzhi Gu; Xibin Xia

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23168

Exosome-derived miR-23a-5p inhibits HCC proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating PRDX2 expression: MiR-23a-5p/PRDX2 axis in HCC progression

Heliyon. 2023 Dec 2;10(1):e23168. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23168. eCollection 2024 Jan 15.

Authors

Yang Zhao¹, Jun Liu², Zhengping Xiong¹, Shanzhi Gu¹, Xibin Xia²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Interventional Therapy, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 283 Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, China.
² Department of Radiology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410006, Hunan, China.

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely related to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cancer-derived exosomes play an essential role in the establishment of the HCC microenvironment. However, the possible effects and underlying mechanisms of exosome (exo) microRNA-23a-5p (miR-23a-5p) in the progression of HCC remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role and specific molecular mechanism of exo miR-23a-5p in regulating HCC progression and to investigate whether exo miR-23a-5p levels can serve as an indicator of the prognosis of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with HCC. Our findings illustrated that miR-23a-5p was downregulated in exosomes separated from the serum of HCC patients and that miR-23a-5p carried by exosomes inhibited HCC cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, miR-23a-5p negatively targeted peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2). Functionally, PRDX2 overexpression relieved exosome-induced inhibition of HCC cell proliferation and angiogenesis by promoting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. In conclusion, Exo miR-23a-5p inhibited HCC proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating PRDX2 expression. Our results revealed the role and specific molecular mechanism of exo miR-23a-5p in regulating HCC progression.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Exosomes; Hepatocellular carcinoma; PRDX2; miR-23a-5p.