Exploring the Influence of miR-597-5p on the Tumor Stem Cell Characteristics of Gastric Cancer Cells Through the STAT3/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the impact of miR-597-5p on the tumor stem cell characteristics of gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. Gastric cancer cell lines were transfected with miR-597-5p mimics to elevate miR-597-5p expression, confirmed by qRT-PCR. Overexpression of miR-597-5p led to reduced cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and sphere-forming ability, while increasing apoptosis. Additionally, the expression of stem cell markers OCT4 and SOX2, as well as the phosphorylation of STAT3 and NF-κB, decreased with miR-597-5p overexpression. Co-treatment with a STAT3 activator reversed these effects, promoting cell proliferation, invasion, migration, sphere formation, and increasing p-STAT3, p-NF-κB, SOX2, and OCT4 expression. Importantly, miR-597-5p inhibited the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway, preventing gastric cancer cells from exhibiting stem-like characteristics. These findings suggest that miR-597-5p may have therapeutic potential in suppressing the stem cell properties of gastric cancer cells through STAT3/NF-κB pathway regulation.