miR-449a Suppresses LDHA-Mediated Glycolysis to Enhance the Sensitivity of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to Ionizing Radiation

MicroRNA dysregulation contributes to malignant progression, dissemination, and profound treatment resistance in multiple cancers. miR-449a is recognized as a tumor suppresser. However, the roles of miR-449a in lung cancer initiation and progression are largely unknown. Our study aims to investigate the roles and underlying mechanism of miR-449a in modulating sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer cells were transfected with miR-449a mimics or negative control and exposed to IR; the levels of target protein, glycolysis, cell viability, apoptosis, and DNA damage were examined. miR-449a was suppressed in lung cancer tissues and cancer cells (A549 and H1299). IR exposure significantly increased the expression of miR-449a in A549 cells at doses ranging from 4 to 8 Gy at 24 h, whereas no significant change in miR-449a was found in H1299 cells after IR. When A549 cells were exposed to IR at a dose of 8 Gy, the miR-449a level only had an acute increase within 12 h. miR-449a restoration dramatically suppressed IR-induced cell apoptosis and DNA damage in both A549 and H1299 cells. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was a potential target of miR-449a. miR-449a mimic transfection substantially suppressed the LDHA expression and production of lactate catalyzed by LDHA as well as glucose uptake. We confirmed that miR-449a could bind to the 3'-UTR of LDHA mRNA using luciferase reporter assay. LDHA siRNA-transfected cells showed enhanced cell apoptosis and DNA damage in response to IR exposure. miR-449a upregulation enhanced IR sensitivity of lung cancer cells by suppressing LDHA and the subsequent glycolysis.