miR-211 inhibits proliferation, invasion and migration of cervical cancer via targeting SPARC

Cervical cancer remains one of the most frequent gynecological malignancies among females around the world. Therefore, fully understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of cervical cancer may be critical for the development of effective therapeutic strategies against cervical cancer. The object was to evaluate the potential effect of miR-211 and verify its influence on the function of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in cervical cancer. It was demonstrated that miR-211 was downregulated in cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and C33A) and cervical cancer specimens, while SPARC expression level was higher in tumor tissues. We also revealed miR-211 upregulated expression could inhibit cells proliferation, migration and invasion in vivo. SPARC was confirmed as a direct and functional target of miR-211 and the inverse relationship between them was also observed. The results of the present study suggest that miR-211 reduced cancer growth, migration and invasion, and suppresses the SPARC expression in cervical cancer. This newly identified miR-211 may provide further insight into the progression and offers a promising target for cervical cancer therapy.