miR-124 and miR-142 enhance cisplatin sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells through repressing autophagy via directly targeting SIRT1

Background: Drug resistance is a major obstacle in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recently, miRNAs are reported to be involved in the drug resistance of NSCLC. The roles of miR-124 and miR-142 in the multidrug resistance of NSCLC cells have been reported. However, the underlying mechanism by which miR-124 and miR-142 regulate resistance to cisplatin (CDDP) remains unknown. Methods: The expressions of miR-124, miR-142 and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in CDDP-sensitive and CDDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. IC50 value and cell proliferation were determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Autophagy was evaluated by western blot analysis of the protein levels of LC3-I, LC3-II and p62, and FITC-LC3 punctate formation assay. The interaction between miR-124 or miR-142 and SIRT1 was determined by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and western blot assays. A tumor xenograft was performed to further validate the role of miR-124 and miR-142 in the sensitivity of CDDP-resistant NSCLC to cisplatin. Results: miR-124 and miR-142 were downregulated, while SIRT1 was upregulated in CDDP-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells compared to CDDP-sensitive groups. Functionally, overexpression of miR-124 and miR-142 or SIRT1 silencing enhanced the CDDP sensitivity of H1299/CDDP cells via suppressing autophagy, as evidenced by the reduced LC3-II/LC3-I radio, elevated p62 protein, and suppressed FITC-LC3 punctate formation in H1299/CDDP cells. miR-124 and miR-142 were demonstrated to co-target SIRT1. Re-expression of SIRT1 overturned miR-124 and miR-142-mediated chemosensitivity in H1299/CDDP cells via triggering autophagy. Conclusion: miR-124 and miR-142 enhance the cytotoxic effect of CDDP through repressing autophagy via targeting SIRT1 in CDDP-resistant NSCLC cells.