MicroRNA-449b-3p inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting IL-6 and through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

MicroRNAs (miRs) have vital involvement in the advancement of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the methods of action of miR-449b-3p in the disease are yet to be examined. The present study revealed a distinct downregulation of miR-449b-3p in NSCLC tissue, which was related to the clinicopathological characteristics, and may serve as an independent marker for NSCLC prognosis. NSCLC cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis and migration were distinctly controlled in vitro by miR-449b-3p, that was found to directly target interleukin (IL)-6. Additionally, increased IL-6 level could inhibit miR-449b-3p and suppress the effect of EMT in NSCLC cells by inactivating the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the data from the present study demonstrated that IL-6 is targeted by miR-449b-3p, which affects the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, impacting on the development of NSCLC.