The Wnt modulator ICG-001 mediates the inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell migration in vitro via the miR-150 CD44 axis

The Wnt signaling pathway is known to serve an important role in the control of cell migration. The present study analyzed the mechanisms underlying the in vitro modulation of the migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells by the CREB-binding protein/catenin antagonist and Wnt modulator ICG-001. The results revealed that ICG-001-mediated inhibition of tumor cell migration involved downregulated mRNA and protein expression of the Wnt target gene cluster of differentiation (CD)44. It was also demonstrated that ICG-001 downregulated the expression of CD44, and this effect was accompanied by restored expression of microRNA (miRNA)-150 in various NPC cell lines. Using a CD44 3'-untranslated region luciferase reporter assay, miR-150 was confirmed to be a novel CD44-targeting miRNA, which could directly target CD44 and subsequently regulate the migration of NPC cells. The present study provides further insight into the inhibition of tumor cell migration through the modulation of miRNA expression by the Wnt modulator ICG-001. Key words: nasopharyngeal carcinoma, microRNA, cluster of differentiation 44