MiR-16-5p Promotes the Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Regulating AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

Objective: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is commonly diagnosed with high mortality worldwide. Cell proliferation and cell apoptosis are essential biological processes for the development of cancers. MiR-16-5p, a critical member of miRNAs family, is involved in cell apoptosis and tumor progression. However, the role of miR-16-5p in regulating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.

Methods: In this study, we used human ESCC tissue samples and human esophageal cells to determine the expression level of miR-16-5p in ESCC tissues and cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to test cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels. The scratch assay was used to analyze the level of cell migration, and the transwell assay was used to analyze the invasive ability of tumor cells.

Results: The expression of miR-16-5p was up-regulated in ESCC tissues and cells. Knockdown of miR-16-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. The knockdown of miR-16-5p also restrained cell migration and invasion. We revealed that AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway participated in the regulation of ESCC progression.

Conclusion: miR-16-5p may promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC through modulating AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.