Accumulating evidence have emerged important roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) participating in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and are associated with metastasis in cervical cancer. We hypothesized that miR-223 played an important role in cell metastasis of cervical cancer. Here, we found miR-223 was downregulated in human cervical cancer cell lines and clinical tumor tissues. Result of wound healing and cell migration assays revealed that miR-223 inhibited cell migration, whereas miR-223-in showed the opposite effect. In terms of mechanism, miR-223 influenced the expression of the EMT-associated proteins by upregulating the epithelial markers E-cadherin and α-cadherin and downregulating the mesenchymal marker vimentin. In conclusion, miR-223 inhibited cell metastasis of human cervical cancer by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
Keywords: cell metastasis; human cervical cancer; miR-223.