The aim of this study is to explore the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-221 and miRNA-222 in human glioma cells and tissues. The expression of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in human glioma cell line U87, U251, A172, LN229 and surgery resected glioma tissues were measured. The survival rate of X-ray (2 Gy) irradiated glioma cells were calculated. 165 cases of glioma patients were recruited successfully; the expression of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in their resected tissues were measured. The expression of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in cancer tissues were obviously higher than control tissues (normal brain tissue) and control cell (gastric mucosal epithelial cell, GES) (p < 0.05). The highly malignant glioma tissues expressed significantly higher miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 than low malignant glioma tissues. Patients with highly expressed miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 have shorter survival time. Survival rate of glioma cells was significantly higher than GES cell after irradiation (p < 0.05); miRNA-221 in glioma cells. The expressions of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in irritated glioma cells were positively correlated with the survival rate of glioma cells (r = 0.629, 0.712, both p < 0.01). For the 165 glioma patients, the expressions of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 increased with the increasing of pathological grades (χ 2 = 42.85, p < 0.01); and their survival time decreased when miRNA-221 expression elevated (χ 2 = 57.12, p < 0.01). MiRNA-221 and miRNA-222 express highly in human glioma cells and tissues. Expression of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 are closely related to pathological grading and prognosis of glioma; they could be used as independent prognostic factor for glioma.
Keywords: Glioma; Prognostic factor; Radiosensitivity; Survival; miRNA-221; miRNA-222.