MiR-320b aberrant expression enhances the radioresistance of human glioma via upregulated expression of ALDH1A3.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that ALDH1A3 is closely associated with development, progression, radioresistance and prognosis in a variety of cancers. However, the upstream miRNA that plays in the ALDH1A3 signaling pathways in regulating the radioresistance of glioma remains unclear. In this study, ALDH1A3 was enriched in high-grade glioma and was determined to be essential for radioresistance in GBM cell lines. Moreover, miR-320b was identified as an upstream miRNA that interacts with ALDH1A3. Low expression of miR-320b was associated with poor prognosis and radioresistance in glioma. In addition, overexpression of miR-320b counteracted the effects of ALDH1A3 on GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis and radioresistance when exposed to X-ray irradiation. Collectively, miR-320b may serve as a novel therapeutic target for glioma patients.