Inhibition of miR-24 suppresses malignancy of human non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting WWOX in vitro and in vivo.

Background: We investigated the effect of micro-RNA 24 (miR-24) and WWOX on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: We performed bioinformatics analysis and 3' untranslated region luciferase assay to investigate the direct target of miR-24. Proliferation, apoptosis, and transwell invasion assays were employed to evaluate the effect of WWOX overexpression with pcDNA3-WWOX and knocking down miR-24 with miR-24 small interfering RNA. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were also used to investigate miR-24 and c-Kit expression, and apoptosis and invasion-related proteins. Finally, we constructed a tumor xenograft model in nude mice to confirm the effect of miR-24 on NSCLC cell proliferation in vivo.

Results: According to our experimental data, miR-24 inhibition could induce apoptosis by activating caspase 3 and suppress the viability and proliferation of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. MiR-24 downregulation could reduce the invasive ability of NSCLC cells by downregulating MMP9. WWOX was identified as a functional target of miR-24. WWOX overexpression generated the same effect with antagonizing miR-24, while blocking WWOX counteracted the tumor suppressive effect caused by miR-24 inhibition. MiR-24 may function as an oncogene and play an important role in the cell growth and migration of NSCLC.

Conclusions: Our findings enhance understanding of the miR-24 regulatory network and the molecular mechanism that underlies the oncogenesis and development of NSCLC. Suppressing the effect of miR-24 on cancer cells using a miR-24 inhibitor may be an attractive therapeutic strategy against NSCLC.