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Aberrantly expressed and constitutively active STAT3 signaling plays a pivotal role in initiation and progression of human papillomavirus-induced cervical carcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for pleiotropic effects of STAT3 signaling is poorly understood. In view of emerging regulatory role of microRNAs, Let-7a and miR-21 that may interact with STAT3 signaling and/or its downstream effectors, present study was designed in HPV16-positive cervical cancer cells to assess the functional contribution of these miRs in STAT3 signaling in cervical cancer.

Functional silencing of STAT3 signaling and HPV16 oncoprotein expression in SiHa cells was done by STAT3-specific and 16 E6 siRNAs. Pharmacological intervention of STAT3 was done using specific inhibitors like curcumin and stattic. Loss-of-function …