MicroRNA-652 promotes cell proliferation and osteosarcoma invasion by directly targeting KLF9

Previous studies have demonstrated that various microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are abnormally expressed in osteosarcoma (OS) and serve roles in its malignant development. An in-depth understanding of the specific roles of dysregulated miRNAs in OS may be important for cancer research and the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In the current study, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to determine miR-652 expression in OS tissues and cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell invasion assays were used for assessing the effect of miR-652 on the proliferation and invasion of OS cells. Herein, miR-652 expression was assessed in OS and the effects and molecular mechanisms of miR-652 in OS cells were examined. The results revealed that miR-652 expression was significantly upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and a normal human osteoblast cell line. Furthermore, miR-652 downregulation inhibited the proliferation and invasion of OS cells. miR-652 was also demonstrated to directly interact with the 3'-untranslated region of kruppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) and miR-652 negatively regulated KLF9 expression in OS cells. miR-652 and KLF9 mRNA levels were also revealed to be inversely correlated in OS tissues. Treatment with KLF9 small interfering RNA abolished the suppression of OS proliferation and invasion induced by miR-652 downregulation. miR-652 may serve an oncogenic role in OS cells by targeting KLF9 directly. The results also indicated that miR-652 may be an effective novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with OS.