Expression of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded BamH1 –a rightward transcript 7 microRNA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells modulates the responsiveness to irradiation treatment.

& nbsp; Introduction Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly sensitive to irradiation treatment. Expression of Epstein-Barr virus gene products affects the radiosensitivity of these cancer cells. In this paper, the association between the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded BamH1-a rightward transcript 7 microRNA (e bv-miR-BART7) and the effects on irradiation sensitivity was explored. Methods Ebv-miR-BART7 expression level in the tissue was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with ebv-miR-BART7 expression was evaluated by colony formation assay, cell proliferation assay, apoptosis assay, H2AX phosphorylation staining and acridine orange staining. In addition, a xenograft model was developed using a zebrafish embryo to validate the & nbsp;in vivo & nbsp;radiation sensitivity of the ebv-miR-BART7-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results Primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues had a significantly higher ebv-miR-BART7 expression level in comparison with their corresponding normal counterparts. The ebv-miR-BART7-expressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells had higher sensitivity to irradiation treatment. Con clusion Our results suggest that patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have elevated ebv-miR-BART7 expression levels in the primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues. Higher expression of ebv-miR-BART7 increased the sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma c...
Source: Head and Neck Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research