miRNA-448 Regulates the Development of Glioblastoma (GBM) by Regulating Rho-Associated Protein Kinase 1

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive adult brain tumor that poses a huge threat to people's health. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators in the progression of GBM. However, the role of miR-448 in GBM remains largely unknown. Therefore, the regulatory mechanism of miR-448 in the development of GBM is elucidated in this study. METHODS: The protein and mRNA expressions of miR-448 and ROCK1 were measured by Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected by CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay. The relationship between miR-448 and ROCK1 was probed by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: miR-448 expression was downregulated in GBM tissues and cells. And poor clinical outcomes of GBM patients were related to miR-448 downregulation. Functionally, overexpression of miR-448 restrained cell viability, migration, and invasion in GBM. Additionally, miR-448 reduced ROCK1 expression by binding to its 3′-UTR. Moreover, knockdown of ROCK1 inhibited the progression of GBM. Furthermore, overexpression of ROCK1 abolished the antitumor effect of miR-448 in GBM. CONCLUSION: miR-448 restrained cell viability, invasion, and migration in GBM by inhibiting ROCK1 expression.