Direct targeting of SLC7A11 by miR-143-3p promotes ferroptosis and suppresses malignancy in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on cervical tissues from 3 patients with SCC (IB stage, HPV16-positive) and 3 normal controls (HPV16-negative). Differential gene expression, functional enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were conducted to screen key microRNAs (miRNAs) and target genes. Expression of miR-143-3p and SLC7A11 in SCC and normal control tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemical staining, and Western blotting (WB). Furthermore, the effect of miR-143-3p mimics and inhibitors on cell proliferation and ferroptosis was evaluated via Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 and scratch assays, along with WB, while concurrently detecting ferroptosis-related biochemical markers. Finally, the role of miR-143-3p in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cervical cancer cells was evaluated by WB and immunofluorescence.