Objective To investigate the expressions of miR-135a-5p, GATA3 and STAT3 in different pathological types of cervical tissues and cervical cancer cell lines and their correlation in cervical cancer.

Methods Real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression of miR-135a-5p in cervical carcinoma tissue and cell lines. Immunohistochemistry SP and Western blot methods were used to determine the expression of GATA3 and STAT3 in cervical tissues and cells. The effect of miR-135a-5p on GATA3 3'UTR was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system. The correlation of miR-135a-5p and GATA3 mRNA expression with the clinical pathological parameters of cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients was analyzed.

Results The miR-135a-5p expression was up-regulated in CSCC tissues and cell lines(all P < 0.05). With the increasing stage of carcinoma, the mRNA levels of GATA3 was reduced(P < 0.05), whereas the mRNA levels of STAT3 was increased(P < 0.05). miR-135a-5p could target GATA3 3'UTR. The expression of GATA3 mRNA was negatively correlated with STAT3 mRNA expression(r=-0.4534) and miR-135a-5p expression(r=-0.6656). Moreover, the miR-135a-5p expression was related to clinical stages and lymph node metastasis(P < 0.05), and the GATA3 mRNA expression was related to clinical stage, depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma(P < 0.05).

Conclusion In cervical cancer, the expression of miR-135a-5p and STAT3 mRNA are up-regulated, the expression of GATA3 mRNA is down-regulated, suggesting that they may be involved in the occurrence and development of cervical cancer through interaction.