miR-141-3p affects apoptosis and migration of endometrial stromal cells by targeting KLF-12

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease that is characterized by pelvic pain and infertility. MicroRNAs have been shown to implicate in the progression of endometriosis. In our study, we used real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of miR-141-3p in endometrial samples. In addition, western blot analysis was used to assess the expression of Krüppel-like factor 12 (KLF-12). The proliferation and migration of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were determined by MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using a Cell Death Detection ELISA Plus kit. The results showed that miR-141-3p and KLF-12 were significantly different in paired ectopic and eutopic endometrial samples. miR-141-3p overexpression significantly restrained the proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis of ectopic ESCs, whereas a decreased level of miR-141-3p was associated with opposite results. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that KLF-12 was a novel target of miR-141-3p, while it also decreased the effects of miR-141-3p on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of ectopic ESCs. Our data suggested that enhanced expression of miR-141-3p suppressed the proliferation and migration of ectopic ESCs and promoted their apoptosis via targeting KLF-12. Our results may provide a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of endometriosis. Similar content being viewed by others

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Additional information Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Highlights 1. miR-141-3p is obviously decreased in endometriosis. 2. KLF-12 is significantly upregulated in endometriosis. 3. Restoration of miR-141-3p expression in ectopic ESCs inhibits cellular proliferation and migration. 4. Restoration of miR-141-3p expression in ectopic ESCs induces the apoptosis in ectopic ESCs. 5. KLF-12 is directly regulated by miR-141-3p. 6. KLF-12 reverses the miR-141-3p-induced suppression of cell proliferation and migration. 7. KLF-12 inhibits the miR-141-3p-mediated induction of cell apoptosis. Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Zhang, Y., Yan, J. & Pan, X. miR-141-3p affects apoptosis and migration of endometrial stromal cells by targeting KLF-12. Pflugers Arch - Eur J Physiol 471, 1055–1063 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-019-02283-2 Received: Revised: Accepted: Published: Version of record: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-019-02283-2