Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

en 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylethanol May Inhibit Metastasis in HepG2 Cells by Influencing the Expression of miR-21 and Genes Associated with Metastasis زیست شناسی ملکولی Molecular Biology مقالات اصلی Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the lethal malignancies with a poor prognosis due to metastatic complications. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), have an important role in metastasis. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is significantly overexpressed in nearly all types of human cancers, including HCC. Targeting miR-21 pharmacologically could be a promising therapeutic approach for HCC. 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (DHPE), a phenolic phytochemical compound found in olive, has potent antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DHPE on the expression of miR-21 with genes associated with metastasis (MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2) and their correlation with miR-21 in HepG2 cells. Methods: This experimental study had four groups, including a control, and three groups of treatment with different concentrations of DHPE (50, 100, and 150 µM) for 24 hours. The expression levels of genes were determined by RT-qPCR. Results: The results showed that the treatment of cells with DHPE significantly reduced the expression of miR-21, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 but increased TIMP-2 compared to the control group; additionally, there was a negative correlation between miR-21 and TIMP-2 but a positive correlation between miR-21 with MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1. Conclusion: The results showed that DHPE, likely by reducing the expression of miR-21, can increase TIMP-2 and reduce MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 gene expression and may play a role in inhibiting cell migration in HepG2 cells.  </div> HepG2 cells, miR-21, Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol. 254 262 http://rbmb.net/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1491-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahdi Alaee 100319475328460020427 100319475328460020427 No Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. Gholamreza Shahsavari 100319475328460020428 100319475328460020428 No Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. Mohammad Yazdi 100319475328460020429 100319475328460020429 No Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran. Maryam Hormozi hormozi.maryam@lums.ac.ir. 100319475328460020430 100319475328460020430 Yes Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.