MiR-125b regulates the proliferation and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer cells via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and EMT.

BACKGROUND/AIM:MiR-125b plays an important role in breast cancer. The current study was to explore the expression and function of miR-125b in triple negative breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The expression of miR-125b in human TNBC samples and cell lines were examined by qRT-PCR. MTT, scratch assays and transwell assays were utilized to observe the proliferation, migration and invasion ability. MiR-125b's target gene and downstream signaling pathways were investigated by Luciferase Reporter Assays, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence assays and western bolt. RESULTS:MiR-125b was highly expressed in human TNBC tissues and cell lines. Inhibiting miR-125b expression suppressed the proliferation, cell migration and invasion. The three-prime untranslated region (3´-UTR) of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mRNA contains miR-125b binding sites, and inhibiting miR-125b expression suppressed the activity of the intracellular Wnt/β-catenin pathways and EMT. CONCLUSION:Inhibiting miR-125b regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and EMT to suppress the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells.