Research Specifications

Human papillomavirus is one of the leading causes of urogenital cancers especially cervical cancer and plays a significant role in cancer related death in the developing countries. Persisted infection with high-risk types of HPV is considered as main cause of cervical carcinogenesis. Micro-RNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides capable of post-transcriptional gene silencing and participated in the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanism, e.g. cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and development and progression of cancer. Recently, studies have focused on the role of miRNAs in tumorigenesis processes and found that miRNAs could play a dual role. Oncogenic miRNAs that are upregulated during tumorigenesis can promote cell proliferation and dedifferentiation, while inhibiting apoptosis. On the other hand, tumor suppressor miRNAs, downregulated during tumor development. This study aimed to review studies that have investigated differential expression of miRNAs in HPV-based cervical cancer and evaluate the role of miRNAs in outcomes of HPV infection. A group of miRNAs are found to be upregulated in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues, and the other group, downregulated. In conclusion, the data highlighted the expression and function of four extensively studied miRNAs. Over-expression of miR-21 and miR-9a introduced them as oncomiRs, while downregulation of miR-34a and miR-29 confirmed their protective role as tumor suppressor miRNAs in cervical cancer development and progression. Altogether, differential expression of miRNAs can be helpful in determination of molecular diagnostic and prognostic markers. Also, they can be considered as good targets for therapy purposes.