MiR-141 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting KLF9.

OBJECTIVE: Non-small cell lung cancer is the cancer with the highest mortality rate in the whole world. MicroRNA-141 (miR-141) has been reported to be an abnormal expression in multiple tumors including in non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the potential roles of miR-141 in non-small cell lung cancer and evaluate the effects on cell proliferative and invasive abilities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and transwell assays were conducted to calculate the tissues and cell lines' proliferative and invasive abilities. Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were utilized to evaluate the mRNA and protein levels of specific genes.
RESULTS: MiR-141 was significantly upregulated, while krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. MiR-141 and KLF9 mRNA levels had a negative correlation in NSCLC tissues. The overexpression of miR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion of A549 cells, while caused contrast results when knockdown miR-141. In addition, KLF9 was a direct target gene of miR-141 and KLF9 partially reversed the roles of miR-141 in A549 cells. MiR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion by binding to KLF9 in NSCLC.
CONCLUSIONS: MiR-141 promoted the proliferation and invasion by targeting the KLF9 in non-small cell lung cancer, and the newly identified miR-141/KLF9 axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.