miRNA-99b-5p targets FZD8 to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer proliferation, migration and invasion

BACKGROUND: miRNAs were found to play crucial roles in regulating cellular behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological function of miRNA-99b-5p (miR-99b-5p) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: miR-99b-5p expression level in NSCLC cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound-healing assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Dual-luciferase activity reporter assay and Western blot assay were conducted to validate the target of miR-99b-5p. RESULTS: The expression of miR-99b-5p was decreased in NSCLC cell lines compared with normal cell line. Overexpression of miR-99b-5p inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. FZD8 was validated as a direct target of miR-99b-5p. Overexpression of FZD8 partially abolished the effects of miR-99b-5p mimic on NSCLC cell behaviors. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results demonstrated that miR-99b-5p inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion through targeting FZD8. This newly identified miR-99b-5p/FZD8 axis provided novel insights into the mechanisms underlying NSCLC progression.