MicroRNA-153 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting KLF5

Abstract

microRNA (miR)‑153 has been shown to play a role in several solid malignancies; however, its expres­sion and function in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have not been fully explored. In the present study, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed in order to detect the expression levels of miR‑153 in mucosal specimens isolated from patients undergoing total laryngectomy. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed to analyze the cellular prolif­eration and invasion abilities of human epithelial type 2 (HEp‑2) cells transfected with miR‑153 mimics or miR‑153 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO). It was found that miR‑153 was downregulated in LSCC tissues. Furthermore, while miR‑153 mimics inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, miR‑153 ASO promoted HEp‑2 cell growth and invasion. At a molecular level, it was predicted by bioinformatics that kruppel‑like factor 5 (KLF5) has a miR‑153 binding site. Luciferase and protein expression analyses revealed that miR‑153 inhibited the protein expression of KLF5. These results suggest that miR‑153 may act as a tumor suppressor during LSCC progression via the suppression of KLF5, and could potentially serve as a therapeutic target for LSCC.