MicroRNA 144 inhibits cell migration and invasion and regulates inflammatory cytokine secretion through targeting toll like receptor 2 in non-small cell lung cancer

IntroductionMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNA molecules involved in modulation of cancer progression. Here, we investigated the possible role of miR-144 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development.Material and methodsThe expression of miR-144 and TLR2 in NSCLC tissue and cell lines was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The TargetScan database was used to predict potential target genes of miR-144. Luciferase assay was used to verify the interaction between TLR2 and miR-144. TLR2 protein expression was measured by western blot. The secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in A549 cells was detected by an ELISA kit. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively.ResultsOur results showed that miR-144 was downregulated in NSCLC tissue and cell lines when compared with the normal tissues and cell line (p < 0.05). The protein level of TLR2 in NSCLC tissue and cell lines was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-144 could bind to the 3ʹUTR of TLR2 specifically. Up-regulation of miR-144 significantly decreased the expression of TLR2. Up-regulation of miR-144 or down-regulation of TLR2 could decrease cell migration, invasion and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in A549 cells. Moreover, overexpression of TLR2 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR-144 on migration, invasion and inflammatory factor secretion of A549 cells.ConclusionsmiR-144 could inhibit the migration, invasion and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 through downregulation of TLR2 expression in A549 cells.     

miR-425 regulates cell proliferation,migration and apoptosis by targeting AMPH-1 in non-small-cell lung cancer

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to act as vital roles on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and miR-425 has been proven to serve an important function in several tumors. However, the functional role of miR-425 on NSCLC is still unclear.MethodsThe mRNA and protein expression of miR-425 and AMPH-1 were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. NSCLC cells (SK-MES-1 and A549) proliferation and migration were measured by CCK-8 and transwell assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and western blotting, In addition, luciferase reporter assay was carried out to confirm the direct targeting of AMPH-1 by miR-425. Xenograft experiments were performed to observe the tumorigenesis of miR-425 in vivo.ResultsThe results showed that miR-425 was overexpressed and AMPH-1 expression was downregulated in SK-MES-1 and A549 cells. Silencing miR-425 inhibited proliferation, migration and promoted apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Moreover, we proved that miR-425 could target AMPH-1. The expression of AMPH-1was upregulated in A549 with miR-425 inhibitor. Moreover, miR-425 knockdown were less tumorigenic than the control in vivo.ConclusionsTaken together, miR-425 could promote the proliferation, invasion and suppress apoptosis by targeting AMPH-1 in NSCLC cells. miR-425/AMPH-1 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy or novel prognostic biomarkers to NSCLC.     

Reduced circulating exosomal miR-382 predicts unfavorable outcome in non-small cell lung cancer

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated as robust and promising biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our aim was to determine the significance of serum exosomal miR-382 in NSCLC. Circulating exosomes were collected from 126 patients with NSCLC and 60 normal controls before treatment and one month after surgery. The circulating exosomal miR-382 expression was measured with quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in all the participants. Our findings demonstrated that circulating exosomal miR-382 was very reduced in NSCLC. In addition, it showed high accuracy for discriminating NSCLC patients from healthy subjects. Interestingly, serum exosomal miR-382 improved the diagnostic accuracy of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Moreover, its level increased significantly one month following surgical resection. Reduced circulating exosomal miR-382 was positively associated with poor clinical variables. NSCLC cases with lower serum exosomal miR-382 suffered worse overall survival (OS) and serum exosomal miR-382 was independently associated with OS. Taken together, circulating exosomal miR-382 is a robust biomarker for evaluating the progression of NSCLC.     

Exosomal miR-155-5p promotes proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting TP53INP1 expression

Exosomal microRNA (miRNA) secreted by tumor cells plays an important biological role in tumorigenesis and development. We aimed to explore the effects of exosomal miR-155-5p in gastric cancer (GC) and understand its mechanism of action in GC progression. We isolated exosomes from the human gastric mucosal epithelial cell line GES-1 and gastric cancer cell line AGS, and then identified them according to their surface markers by flow cytometry. Later, we detected the miR-155-5p expression levels in tissues and isolated exosomes using RT-qPCR. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-155-5p directly binds to the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of tumor protein p53-induced nuclear protein 1 (TP53INP1) mRNA. We also investigated whether the miR-155-5p-rich exosomes caused changes in cell cycle, proliferation, and migration in AGS cells. In this study, we found that the levels of miR-155-5p were significantly increased in GC tissues and AGS cells, and that the TP53INP1 protein level was downregulated in GC tissues using IHC and IFC. TP53INP1 was found to be directly regulated by miR-155-5p following a dual luciferase-based reporter assay. After co-culturing with the isolated miR-155-5p-rich exosomes, the proliferation and migration capabilities of AGS cells were enhanced. Thus, our results reveal that exosomal miR-155-5p acts as an oncogene by targeting TP53INP1 mRNA in human gastric cancer.     

Human esophageal fibroblast-derived exosomal miR-21 reduced the cisplatin sensitivity to esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of human esophageal fibroblast-derived exosomal miR-21 on cisplatin sensitivity against esophageal squamous EC9706 cells. EC9706 cells were co-cultured indirectly with human esophageal fibroblasts (HEF) or miR-21 mimics transfected-HEF in the transwell system. The exosomes in HEF-culture conditioned medium were extracted by differential ultracentrifugation. EC9706 cells were co-cultured with HEF-derived exosomes directly. The cisplatin sensitivity against EC9706 cells was revealed via half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values using MTT assay. The expressions of miR-21, programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) mRNA, and gene of phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) mRNA were determined by qRT-PCR. The changes of the protein level were detected using western blot assay. IC₅₀ values of cisplatin against EC9706 cells were increased after EC9706 cells were co-cultured with either HEF or exosomes derived from miR-21 mimics-transfected HEF. Following the increased level of miR-21, the mRNA expression and protein levels of PTEN and PDCD4 were decreased in EC9706 cells. The cisplatin sensitivity to EC9706 cells was reduced by HEF-derived exosomal miR-21 through targeting PTEN and PDCD4. This study suggested that non-tumor cells in the tumor micro-environment increased the tumor anti-chemotherapy effects through their exosomes.     

MDA-MB-231细胞在乏氧条件下通过外泌体传递miR-221、miR-222增强乳腺癌细胞侵袭和迁移能力

目的探讨乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231在乏氧条件下分泌的外泌体对肿瘤细胞侵袭和迁移的影响。方法利用差速离心法分离外泌体,并通过动态光散射和透射电镜对外泌体的粒径、形态进行表征。通过对外泌体进行PKH26染色,进而观察肿瘤细胞对外泌体的摄取情况。应用qRT-PCR法检测肿瘤细胞及外泌体中miR-221、miR-222的含量。Transwell侵袭实验和细胞划痕实验检测MDA-MB-231细胞的侵袭和迁移能力。Western blot法检测MDA-MB-231细胞中上皮细胞-间质转化(epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT)相关蛋白(E-cadherin、N-cadherin和vimentin)的表达。结果MDA-MB-231细胞经乏氧处理后,其侵袭和迁移能力增强,并且N-cadherin和vimentin的表达上调;乏氧处理的肿瘤细胞分泌的外泌体通过传递miR-221、miR-222,促进MDA-MB-231细胞的EMT进展。结论MDA-MB-231细胞在乏氧条件下,可以通过外泌体传递miR-221、miR-222增加癌细胞侵袭和迁移能力。     

miR-107 regulates cisplatin chemosensitivity of A549 non small cell lung cancer cell line by targeting cyclin dependent kinase 8

Previous studies demonstrated that the acquired drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was related to deregulation of miRNAs. However, the effects of miR-107 and the mechanism through which miR-107 affects the cisplatin chemoresistance in NSCLC have not been reported. TaqMan RT-PCR or Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression of mature miR-107 and cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) protein. The viabilities of treated cells were analyzed using MTT assay. We found that the expression level of miR-107 in A549 cells was significantly lower than that in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (0.45 ± 0.26 vs. 1.00 ± 0.29, P = 0.032). The MTT assay showed that the A549 cells transfected with miR-107 mimics were significantly more sensitive to the therapy of cisplatin than control cells. A549 cells transfected with miR-107 mimics showed a decreased CDK8 protein expression. Downregulation of CDK8 expression by siRNAs, A549 cells became more sensitive to the therapy of cisplatin. In addition, the enhanced growth-inhibitory effect by the miR-107 mimic transfection was enhanced after the addition of CDK8 siRNA. In conclusion, the present study provides the first evidence that miR-107 plays a key role in cisplatin resistance by targeting the CDK8 protein in NSCLC cell lines, suggesting that miR-107 can be used to predict a patient’s response to chemotherapy as well as serve as a novel potential maker for NSCLC therapy.     

LncRNA OGFRP1 promotes angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cells through miR-423-5p/CTCF axis

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of lncRNA OGFRP1 affecting angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and provide a new target for the treatment of CRC.MethodsThe expressions of OGFRP1, miR-423-5p, and CTCF were measured in CRC cell lines (HT29, LoVo, HCT116, SW620, and SW480) and normal colonic epithelial cells NCM460. Gain and loss of function experiments were performed on HCT116 and SW620 cells, after which the proliferation, apoptosis, EMT, invasion, and migration of the cells were measured using CCK-8 and colony formation assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, Transwell, and scratch assay. The transfected cells were incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to assess angiogenesis using tube formation assay. ELISA was performed to detect VEGF in the conditioned medium of HCT116 and SW620 cells. The interactions among OGFRP1, CTCF and miR-423-5p were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay.ResultsCRC cell lines had increased expression levels of OGFRP1 and CTCF and a suppressed expression level of miR-423-5p when compared with NCM460 cells. Suppression on OGFRP1 or CTCF and overexpression of miR-423-5p led to inhibited proliferation, EMT, invasion and migration and increased apoptosis of HCT116 and SW620 cells. HUVECs incubated with cells transfected with si-OGFRP1, si-CTCF or miR-423-5p mimic had suppressed angiogenesis ability. The effect of OGFRP1 suppression in CRC cells could be counteracted by miR-423-5p inhibition. Both CTCF and OGFRP1 could bind to miR-423-5p.ConclusionOGFRP1 promotes proliferation, EMT, and angiogenesis in CRC through miR-423-5p/CTCF axis.     

过表达miR-10b促进肺癌细胞系A549增殖

目的探讨非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者肺癌及癌旁组织中miR-10b(miR-10b)表达水平及miR-10b是否通过调控锌指转录蛋白基因(KLF4)对肺癌细胞系A549恶性化的影响。方法 40例NSCLC患者病理切片,原位杂交检测肺癌及癌旁组织中miR-10b的表达量;对肺癌细胞系A549转染miR-10b mimics后,CCK-8法检测肺癌细胞增殖;real-time PCR及Western blot检测KLF4 mRNA及蛋白水平;软琼脂克隆形成实验检测过表达miR-10b对A549细胞的肿瘤恶性化程度的影响。结果肺癌细胞A549及肺癌组织中miR-10b的表达量分别高于正常肺上皮细胞16HBE及癌旁组织;过表达miR-10b模拟物的A549细胞中,KLF4蛋白水平显著下降(P0.05);过表达的miR-10b可显著增加A549细胞的增殖速度及在软琼脂内的成瘤性。结论 miR-10b在不同类型细胞及组织中具有分布差异性、可能是通过抑制KLF4的表达促进肺癌细胞增殖及恶性化。     

胰腺癌细胞外泌体通过激活线粒体凋亡途径促进β细胞凋亡

目的:探讨胰腺癌细胞分泌的外泌体(exosome)对胰岛β细胞存活率和功能的影响及作用机制。方法:采用外泌体提取试剂盒提取小鼠胰腺癌细胞Pan02和MPC-83上清液外泌体,经磷钨酸染色后于透射电镜下鉴定形态;外泌体经荧光标记后与小鼠胰岛瘤MIN6细胞共孵育48 h,检测外泌体分泌水平和MIN6细胞的摄取水平;MTT和葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌(GSIS)实验分别检测各组细胞的存活率和胰岛素分泌功能;q PCR检测微小RNA-204(miR-204)和Bcl-2 mRNA的表达;Western blot检测线粒体凋亡信号通路相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax、caspase-3和细胞色素C(Cyt-C)的表达。结果:透射电镜结果显示2种胰腺癌细胞均能分泌外泌体,且Pan02细胞分泌更多。荧光标记的外泌体与胰岛β细胞共孵育结果显示,β细胞能够大量摄取胰腺癌细胞分泌的外泌体。MTT和GSIS实验结果显示,外泌体处理组的MIN6细胞存活率和高糖刺激的胰岛素分泌量显著低于未处理组(P0.01)。q PCR结果显示胰腺癌细胞分泌的外泌体富含miR-204,且外泌体处理后的MIN6细胞内Bcl-2的mRNA表达显著下调(P0.01)。Western blot结果显示,外泌体处理的MIN6细胞内Bcl-2蛋白表达显著下调(P0.05),Bax、cleaved caspase-3和Cyt-C蛋白表达显著上调(P0.01)。结论:胰腺癌细胞能够分泌外泌体,且该外泌体能够被胰岛β细胞摄取。胰腺癌细胞分泌的外泌体可以降低β细胞存活率和β细胞胰岛素的分泌功能,其机制可能通过外源性上调β细胞内miR-204的表达,进而抑制Bcl-2的mRNA和蛋白表达,最终激活β细胞内线粒体凋亡信号通路。     

miR-195对肺癌A549细胞生物学行为的调控作用

目的:探讨微小RNA(mi R)-195对肺癌细胞株A549生长、凋亡及迁移等生物学行为的影响和其相关作用机制。方法:对体外培养的A549细胞转染mi R-195 mimics,分别采用CCK-8法和流式细胞术检测细胞活力、周期分布及凋亡情况;Transwell实验检测细胞的迁移能力;Western blot检测相关调控因子cyclin D1、CDK2、Bcl-2和p-Rb/Rb的蛋白水平;双萤光素酶报告基因分析法预测及验证其可能的靶基因。结果:在A549细胞中过表达mi R-195可显著抑制细胞活力并引起细胞周期阻滞,同时细胞迁移率降低,而细胞凋亡率显著上升(P0.05);此外,细胞中cyclin D1、CDK2、Bcl-2及p-Rb的蛋白水平均显著下降(P0.05)。双萤光素酶报告基因分析显示MYB可能是mi R-195的靶基因,且在过表达mi R-195的A549细胞中回补MYB可部分逆转mi R-195对细胞活力、凋亡及迁移的影响。结论:mi R-195可靶向MYB抑制肺癌A549细胞的生长和迁移,并促进其凋亡。     

miR-424-5p promotes the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer by directly targeting SCN4B

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide usually diagnosed at advanced stages which causes poor prognosis of patients. Therefore, novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets are urgently needed.Materials and methodsmiR-424-5p was identified through integrated analysis of three public databases. Loss-of-function experiments in HT29 and SW480 cells and mouse xenograft models were performed to explore the regulatory role of miR-424-5p in CRC. Bioinformatics analysis was used for predicting targets of miR-424-5p and its functional and pathway enrichment analysis.ResultsmiR-424-5p expression was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines and associated with prognosis of CRC patients. Experiments in vitro and in vivo showed miR-424-5p promotes CRC cell proliferation and metastasis by directly inhibiting SCN4B. Besides, CRC cells secret miR-424-5p into peripheral blood through exosomes and circulating exosomal miR-424-5p could discriminate CRC patients with early stage from healthy people with AUC value of 0.82.ConclusionsmiR-424-5p serves as an oncogene in CRC and circulating exosomal miR-424-5p is a novel potential diagnostic biomarker of CRC patients.     

MiR-1260b promotes the migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer via targeting PTPRK

Objective

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–85% of lung cancer cases which cause most of cancer-related deaths globally. As our previous study discovered miR-1260b can be regarded as a specific signature for metastasis in NSCLC patients. However, the molecular mechanisms of miR-1260b underlying NSCLC progression and metastasis remain dismal.

miR-140-3p通过靶向PD-L1抑制非小细胞肺癌A549细胞的活力、迁移和侵袭

目的:探究微小RNA-140-3p(mi R-140-3p)对程序性细胞死亡配体1(PD-L1)的靶向关系以及对非小细胞肺癌A549细胞的活力、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法:使用RT-qPCR检测HLF-1、A549和H1299不同细胞株中mi R-140-3p的表达水平,选择差异最显著的A549细胞用作后续研究对象; Target Scan软件预测和双萤光素酶报告基因实验验证mi R-140-3p和PD-L1之间的靶向关系; RT-qPCR和Western blot检测转染mi R-140-3p模拟物和抑制剂对PD-L1表达水平的影响; MTT法检测mi R-140-3p和PD-L1对A549细胞活力的影响; Transwell实验检测mi R-140-3p和PD-L1对A549细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。结果:mi R-140-3p在人肺癌A549和H1299细胞的表达中显著下调(P 0. 05); mi R-140-3p高表达能够使PD-L1表达下调,对A549细胞的活力、迁移和侵袭具有抑制作用;转染pc DNA3. 0-PD-L1能够阻断mi R-140-3p对A549细胞活力、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用。结论:mi R-140-3p可通过靶向负调控PD-L1抑制A549细胞的活力、迁移和侵袭。     

Rab27A regulates exosome secretion from lung adenocarcinoma cells A549: involvement of EPI64

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles secreted into the extracellular compartment by exocytosis. The unique composition of exosomes can be transported to other cells which allow cells to exert biological functions at distant sites. However, in lung cancer, the regulation of exosome secretion was poorly understood. In this study, we employed human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells to determine the exosome secretion and involved regulation mechanism. We found that Rab27A was expressed in A549 cells and the reduction of Rab27A by Rab27A‐specific shRNA could significantly decrease the secretion of exosome by A549 cells. EPI64, a candidate GAP that is specific for Rab27, was also detected in A549 cells. By pull‐down assay, we found that EPI64 participated in the exosome secretion of A549 cells by acting as a specific GAP for Rab27A, not Rab27B. Overexpression of EPI64 enhanced exosome secretion. Taken together, in A549 cells, EPI64 could regulate the exosome secretion by functioning as a GAP specific for Rab27A.     

Cyclophilin B promotes cell proliferation,migration, invasion and angiogenesis via regulating the STAT3 pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer and has become the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. It has been reported that expression of Cyclophilin B was greatly elevated in the pancreatic cancer patient sera as compared with the healthy volunteer sera. This study aimed to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CypB in NSCLC progression. The expression levels of CypB was detected in NSCLC samples and cell lines by ELISA, western blot and immunohistochemistry assay. In addition, CCK8, colony formation, scratch and transwell assays were used to evaluate the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells with CypB silencing. The expression of angiogenesis related proteins and pathway-related factors were detected by western blot. In NSCLC samples, CypB expression was upregulated. The expression of CypB was significantly reduced in the siRNA-cyclophilin B group. In addition, CypB silencing inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The expression of angiogenesis related proteins and pathway-related factors have also changed significantly. These findings suggested that CypB silencing may suppress the proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis of A549 cells via inhibiting STAT3 pathway.     

TRPV3 promotes the angiogenesis through HIF-1α-VEGF signaling pathway in A549 cells

BackgroundAngiogenesis is an essential physiological process in the growth and metastasis of primary tumors. Ca²⁺ signaling is crucial for tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to detect the potential role of Ca²⁺ permeable transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 (TRPV3) in the angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsSmall interfering RNA was used to down-regulate TRPV3 expression in A549 cells. A laser scanning confocal microscope was used to examine intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) tube formation and migration assay, Western blot, MTT and ELISA were performed to detect the potential mechanisms of TRPV3 in tumor angiogenesis. A mouse tumor xenograft model was performed to expound the effects of TRPV3 on tumor cell growth.ResultsInhibition of TRPV3 reduced [Ca²⁺]i and protein expressions of VEGF and HIF-1α in A549 cells. Moreover, HIF-1α depletion decreased the secretion and expression of VEGF. Depletion of TRPV3 inhibited HUVECs proliferation, tube formation and migration induced by conditioned medium. And TRPV3 inhibition could decrease the volume of xenograft tumors and MVD of CD34⁺ cells. The expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and p-CaMKП in the xenograft tumors in RuR and siTRPV3 groups was reduced.ConclusionsTRPV3 calcium channel protein may play a key role in NSCLC angiogenesis. TRPV3 could promote the angiogenesis through HIF-1α-VEGF signaling pathway. Targeting TRPV3 channel protein by novel approaches would be useful for reversing NSCLC angiogenesis.     

High-grade ovarian cancer secreting effective exosomes in tumor angiogenesis

Ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecological cancer, related closely to tumor stage. High-grade ovarian cancer always results in a late diagnose and high recurrence, which reduce survival within five years. Until recently, curable therapy is still under research and anti-angiogenesis proves a promising way. Tumor-derived exosomes are essential in tumor migration and metastases such as angiogenesis is enhanced by exosomes. In our study, we have made comparison between high-grade and unlikely high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells on exosomal function of endothelial cells proliferation, migration and tube formation. Exosomes derived from high-grade ovarian cancer have a profound impact on angiogenesis with comparison to unlikely high-grade ovarian cancer. Proteomic profiles revealed some potential proteins involved in exosomal function of angiogenesis such as ATF2, MTA1, ROCK1/2 and so on. Therefore, exosomes plays an influential role in angiogenesis in ovarian serous cancer and also function more effectively in high-grade ovarian cancer cells.     

MicroRNA-144 regulates proliferation,invasion, and apoptosis of cells in malignant solitary pulmonary nodule via zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1

Aims: This study was to investigate the expression of microRNA (miR)-144 in malignant solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) tissues and peripheral blood, as well as the biological function of miR-144 in the occurrence and development of lung cancer. Methods: In this study, 39 malignant and 30 benign SPN patients were included. The expression of miR-144 was examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the clinical value of miR-144 in the early diagnosis of malignant SPN. MTT assay was performed to determine A549 cell proliferation and Transwell assay was used to detect changes in A549 cell invasion and migration ability. Flow cytometry was performed to monitor cell apoptosis, while Western blotting assay was used to measure protein expression levels. At last, dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to test whether miR-144 regulates zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) gene expression. Results: Expression of miR-144 was reduced in patients with malignant SPN. miR-144 had diagnostic value for malignant SPN. Proliferation of A549 cells was inhibited by miR-144. Invasion ability of A549 cells was reduced by miR-144. Apoptosis of A549 cells was promoted by miR-144. miR-144 induced A549 cell apoptosis by targeting ZEB1 protein. miR-144 regulated the expression of ZEB1 by interacting with its 3’-UTR region. Conclusions: Expression of miR-144 is reduced in malignant SPN tissues and peripheral blood, being of clinical value in the diagnosis of malignant SPN. miR-144 promotes the apoptosis of lung cancer cells, and inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of lung cancer by regulating ZEB1 gene.