BACKGROUND: Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are one of the most common reproductive system diseases in women worldwide. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that the upregulation or downregulation of genes plays an important role in IUAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of NUS1 in IUAs in a rat model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: RT-qPCR, IHC, and Western blot were used to investigate mRNA and proteins expression, respectively, of NUS1. MTT and colony-formation assays were used to evaluate cell growth. Transwell assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion. To investigate miR-466 and NUS1 functions in vivo, we established a rat model. The level of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers was analyzed by Western blot assay.

RESULTS: NUS1 was upregulated in IUAs tissues, and the high expression level of NUS1 was positively correlated with the severity of IUAs. NUS1 promoted cell proliferation in vitro. NUS1 overexpression on cell migration and invasion promoted the EMT process in vitro and in vivo. NUS1 acted as a target of miR-466 and played the stimulative role by regulating AKT/NFκB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that miR-466 and NUS1 regulate proliferation and the EMT process through the AKT/NFκB pathway in IUAs in a rat model.

Keywords: Amniotic Band Syndrome, Cell Adhesion, Receptors, Cell Surface, Tissue Adhesions, Uterus