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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
miR-132 inhibits lung cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting SOX4
Yang Li1, Lingling Zu1, Yuli Wang1
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Background:
Multiple MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development and progression of lung cancer. However, the expression and roles of miR-132 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely undefined. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological functions and its molecular mechanisms of miR-132 in human lung cancer cells.
Methods:
miR-132 expression was measured in human lung cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The cells migration and invasion ability were measured by wound healing assay and transwell assay. The influence of miR-132 on tumor progression in vivo was monitored using NSCLC xenografts in nude mice. The target gene of miR-132 was determined by luciferase assay and western blot.
Results:
The expression level of miR-132 was dramatically decreased in examined lung cancer cell lines. Then, we found that introduction of miR-132 significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells in vitro. Besides, miR-132 overexpression could also inhibit tumor growth in the nude mice. Further studies indicated that the sex determining region Y-box 4 (SOX4) is a target gene of miR-132. SOX4 re-introduction could reverse the anti-invasion role of miR-132.
Conclusions:
Our finding provides new insight into the mechanism of NSCLC progression. Therapeutically, miR-132 may serve as a potential target in the treatment of human lung cancer.
Insights
MicroRNA-132 (miR-132) is downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), suppressing tumor cell migration, invasion, and growth. Restoring miR-132 may offer a new therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in lung cancer development.
- The function of miR-132 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-132 in human lung cancer cells.
- To determine the potential of miR-132 as a therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure miR-132 expression.
- In vitro assays (wound healing, Transwell) to assess cell migration and invasion.
- In vivo NSCLC xenograft model in nude mice to evaluate tumor progression.
- Luciferase assay and Western blot to identify miR-132 target genes.
Main Results:
- miR-132 expression was significantly decreased in lung cancer cell lines.
- miR-132 introduction suppressed lung cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro.
- Overexpression of miR-132 inhibited tumor growth in vivo.
- Sex determining region Y-box 4 (SOX4) was identified as a direct target of miR-132, and its re-introduction reversed miR-132's anti-invasion effect.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals novel insights into NSCLC progression mechanisms.
- miR-132 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by targeting SOX4.
- miR-132 represents a potential therapeutic target for human lung cancer treatment.
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