The role of miR-210, E2F3 and ephrin A3 in angiosarcoma cell proliferation.

Although angiosarcoma exhibits aggressive progression and is associated with unfavourable prognosis, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that microRNAs play a role in the pathogenesis of angiosarcoma. microRNA expression was evaluated by array analysis and real-time PCR, and protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. miR-210 expression was decreased in angiosarcoma cells both in vivo and in vitro. E2F3 and ephrin A3 are putative targets of miR-210, and their protein expression was up-regulated in the tumour cells. Knockdown of E2F3 or ephrin A3 resulted in a significant decrease in the number of angiosarcoma cells. Further investigations into the regulatory mechanisms of oncogenesis associated with miR-210/E2F3/ephrin A3 signalling may lead to a new therapeutic approach against angiosarcoma.