MicroRNA-1236-3p inhibits human osteosarcoma growth

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common bone tumor with high mortality worldwide. The long-term survival rate of patients with metastatic or recurrent disease is <20%. The present study explored the biological role of microRNA (miRNA/miR)-1236-3p in OS. miRNA and mRNA expression levels were measured via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to determine miR-1236-3p expression levels in clinical specimens. Protein expression was measured via western blotting. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect Wnt target gene expression in tumor tissues. The interaction between the Wnt3a 3 ' untranslated region and miR-1236-3p was assessed via dual-luciferase reporter assays. Cell cycle, Transwell, Cell Counting Kit-8 and wound healing assays were conducted to evaluate the function of the miR-1236-3p/Wnt3a axis. Human OS (HOS) cells stably transfected with vector or miR-1236-3p sponge were injected subcutaneously into nude mice to assess the role of miR-1236-3p in vivo. miR-1236-3p expression was downregulated in OS tissues compared with chondroma tissues, and miR-1236-3p overexpression inhibited OS cell migration and proliferation compared with the negative control group. Furthermore, in vivo xenograft assays displayed enhanced tumour growth rates in the miR-1236-3p sponge group compared with the vector control group. In the present study, the results indicated that miR-1236-3p inhibited OS progression and Wnt3a was identified as a target of miR-1236-3p.