miR-215 functions as a tumor suppressor and directly targets ZEB2 in human non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

MicroRNA‑215 (miR‑215) has previously been demonstrated to be dysregulated in a number of human malignancies and to be correlated with tumor progression. However, the expression and function of miR‑215 in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has remained to be elucidated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of miR‑215 in NSCLC tumorigenesis and development. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate miR‑215 expression in NSCLC cell lines and primary tumor tissues. The association between miR‑215 expression and certain clinicopathological factors was also determined, and the effects of miR‑215 on the biological behavior of NSCLC cells were investigated. In addition, the potential regulatory function of miR‑215 on zinc finger E‑box‑binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) expression was examined. miR‑215 expression was significantly downregulated in NSCLC cell lines and clinical specimens. Reduced miR‑215 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. Overexpression of miR‑215 inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro, and suppressed tumorigenicity in vivo. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay analysis identified ZEB2 as a direct target of miR‑215. These findings indicated that miR‑215 may act as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC and may serve as a novel therapeutic agent for miR‑based therapy.