MicroRNA-328-3p inhibits the tumorigenesis of bladder cancer through targeting ITGA5 and inactivating PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that microRNA-328-3p (miR-328-3p) is involved in tumorigenesis of many human cancers. However, the specific function of miR-328-3p remains unclear in bladder cancer (BC). Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the role of miR-328-3p in BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expressions of miR-328-3p and integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5) were measured by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and transwell assays were used to explore the function of miR-328-3p in BC. The expression of the corresponding genes was observed via Western blot and immunocytochemical assays. The dual luciferase assay was applied to verify the relationship between miR-328-3p and ITGA5. Tumor growth was measured via xenograft tumor formation assay. RESULTS: Downregulation of miR-328-3p was identified in BC tissues, which predicted poor prognosis in BC patients. Moreover, miR-328-3p suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in BC through targeting ITGA5. Furthermore, miR-328-3p inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inactivated PI3K/AKT pathway in BC. Besides that, miR-328-3p was found to inhibit tumor growth of BC. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-328-3p inhibited tumorigenesis of BC through targeting ITGA5 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.