WNT1, a target of miR-34a, promotes cervical squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and invasion by induction of an E-P cadherin switch via the WNT/β-catenin pathway

PURPOSE: Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is thought to play a prominent role in the initiation and progression of almost all cases of cervical cancer. Previously, we and others found that microRNA 34a (miR-34a) may be regulated by HR-HPV E6 to contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Here, we aimed to identify the oncogenic potential and clinical significance of a known miR-34a target, WNT1, in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development and to investigate the associated mechanisms underlying cervical SCC cell proliferation and invasion. METHODS: WNT1 and miR-34a expression levels were assessed in primary cervical lesions using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR, respectively. The cellular effects and the expression of its associated genes were examined in cervical SCC-derived Siha and Caski cells after siRNA-WNT1 (downregulation) or miR-34a mimic (upregulation) treatment. A cervical SCC xenograft mouse model was used to investigate the in vivo effects of miR-34a overexpression. HPV-16 E6/E7 expression was inhibited by gene promoter siRNA targeting, after which the levels of miR-34a and WNT1 were examined. RESULTS: WNT1 protein upregulation was found to be associated with a poor prognosis in cervical SCC patients. In vitro assays in Siha and Caski cells revealed that WNT1 downregulation decreased cell proliferation and invasion, inhibited WNT/β-catenin activation and affected the expression of E-cadherin and P-cadherin. MiR-34a upregulation resulted in decreased WNT1 expression. An inverse correlation between miR-34a and WNT1 expression was also observed in primary cervical SCC tissues. In addition, we found that MiR-34a could regulate an E-cadherin to P-cadherin switch (E-P cadherin switch) to inhibit cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo via inactivation of the WNT1/β-catenin pathway. Finally, we found that decreased HPV-16 E6/E7 expression resulted in miR-34a upregulation and WNT1 downregulation in Siha and Caski cells. CONCLUSIONS: From our results we conclude that WNT1, as a target of miR-34a, can promote cervical SCC cell proliferation and invasion by induction of an E-P cadherin switch via the WNT1/β-catenin pathway. Our results may provide new options for the treatment of patients with cervical SCC. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13402-020-00506-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.