MiR-204, down-regulated in retinoblastoma, regulates proliferation and invasion of human retinoblastoma cells by targeting CyclinD2 and MMP-9.

Aberrant expression of miR-204 had been frequently reported in cancer studies; however, the mechanism of its function in retinoblastoma remained unknown. Here, we reported that miR-204 was frequently downregulated in retinoblastoma tissues and cell lines. Enforced expression of miR-204 inhibited retinoblastoma cells' proliferation and invasion. In vivo study indicated that restoration of miR-204 inhibited tumor growth. CyclinD2 and MMP-9 were identified as potential targets of miR-204. In addition, a reverse correlation between miR-204 and CyclinD2 or MMP-9 expression was noted in retinoblastoma tissues. Taken together, our results identified a crucial tumor suppressive role of miR-204 in the progression of retinoblastoma.