Expression of miR-221/222 is affected by Triclosan in MCF-7 cells

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol; tcs) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial compound commonly used in cosmetics, dentifrices, soap, and other consumer products. there is growing concern that estrogenic environmental compounds that act as endocrine disrupting chemicals such as tcs might potentially have adverse effects on hormone-sensitive organs. overexpression of mir-221/222 has been observed in a number of advanced malignancies indicating that mir-221/222 could be potential therapeutic targets for epithelial cancer cells. in the present study we investigated whether tcs affects on mir-221/222 expression level in breast cancer cell line, mcf-7. in this experimental study, the expression level of mir-221 and mir-222 in mcf-7 through the quantificational real time polymerase chain reaction (qrt pcr) assay was detected. our results showed that the expression level of mir-221 was increased by tcs and expression level of mir-222 was declined by tcs. overall, tcs may act as an estrogen receptor agonist at lower concentrations via estrogen receptor pathway (er) while inhibiting the growth of mcf-7 cells at higher concentrations via non-er pathways.