miR-217 targeting Wnt5a in osteosarcoma functions as a potential tumor suppressor

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and young adults, however roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OS is still unclear. miR-217 is recently widely studied in various cancers, but not including OS. This study is aimed to investigate the expression and cellular function of miR-217 in OS. The data showed that miR-217 expression was consistently lower in OS tissues and cell lines than the normal controls. Restoration of miR-217 expression in MG-63 and U2OS cells could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Bioinformatic prediction suggested that Wnt5a is a target gene of miR-217. Using luciferase assay, mRNA and protein expression analysis, it was verified that Wnt5a was a target gene of miR-217 in OS cells. Restored expression of Wnt5a weakened miR-217-mediated suppression of tumor progression. Taken together, our data indicate that miR-217 functions as a tumor suppressor in OS by suppressing Wnt5a expression.