Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation induced by exposure to low concentration of cigarette smoke extract is mediated via targeting miR-101-3p/COX-2 pathway

The role of miRNA in colorectal cancer diagnosis: A pilot study

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cancer worldwide, and has both a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate, thus indicating the need for new, sensitive and specific biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are important regulators of gene expression, which are involved in numerous biological processes implicated in tumorigenesis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the expression of miRNAs in plasma and tissue samples from patients with CRC, and to examine their potential as CRC biomarkers. Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, it was revealed that miR-29a, miR-101, miR-125b, miR-146a and miR-155 were dysregulated in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of patients with CRC, compared with the surrounding healthy tissue, and these miRNAs were associated with several pathological features of the tumor. Bioinformatics analysis of overlapping target genes identified AGE-RAGE signaling as a putative joint regulatory pathway. miR-146a was also upregulated in the plasma of patients with CRC, compared with the healthy control group, and had a fair discriminatory power (area under the curve, 0.7006), with 66.7% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity. To the best of our knowledge, this distinct five-miRNA deregulation pattern in tumor tissue, and upregulation of plasma miR-146a, were shown for the first time in patients with CRC; however, studies on larger patient cohorts are warranted to confirm their potential to be used as CRC diagnostic biomarkers.

Bioinformatic analysis of the RNA expression patterns in microgravity-induced bone loss

Researchers have linked microgravity in space to the significant imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption that induces persistent bone loss in load-bearing bones. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear, which hinders the development of therapeutic measures. The aim of this study was to identify hub genes and explore novel molecular mechanisms underlying microgravity-induced bone loss using transcriptome datasets obtained from the GEO and SRA databases. In summary, comparative RNA expression pattern studies that differ in species (Homo or Mus), models (in vitro or in vivo), microgravity conditions (real microgravity or ground-based simulators) and microgravity duration showed that it is difficult to reach a consistent conclusion about the pathogenesis of microgravity-induced bone loss across these studies. Even so, we identified 11 hub genes and some miRNA-mRNA interactions mainly based on the GSE100930 dataset. Also, the expression of CCL2, ICAM1, IGF1, miR-101-3p and miR-451a markedly changed under clinorotation-microgravity condition. Remarkedly, ICAM1 and miR-451a were key mediators of the osteogenesis of hMSCs under clinorotation-microgravity condition. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of bone loss during microgravity and could indicate potential targets for further countermeasures against this condition.

Development and validation of a nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in pathological T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Endoscopic resection is increasingly used to treat patients with pathological T1 (pT1) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) because of its small surgical trauma. However, reports of the risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) have been controversial. Therefore, we aim to build a nomogram to individually predict the risk of LNM in pT1 ESCC patients, to make an optimal balance between surgical trauma and surgical income.One hundred seventy patients with pT1 esophageal cancer in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic proportional hazards models were conducted to find out the risk factor associated with LNM independently, and those were imported into R library "RMS" for analysis. A nomogram is generated based on the contribution weights of variables. Finally, decision analysis and clinical impact curve were used to determine the optimal decision point.Twenty-five (14.7%) of the 170 patients with pT1 ESCC exhibited LNM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, carcinoembryonic antigen, vascular tumor thromboembolus, and tumor differentiation degree were independent risk factors for LNM. The nomogram had relatively high accuracy (C index of 0.869, 95% confidence interval: 0.794-0.914, P < .0001). The decision curve analysis provided the most significant clinical benefit for the entire included population, with scores falling just above the total score of 85 in the nomogram.Smoking, carcinoembryonic antigen, vascular tumor thromboembolus, and tumor differentiation degree may predict the risk of LNM in tumor 1 ESCC. The risk of LNM can be predicted by the nomogram.

Lack of Conserved miRNA Deregulation in HPV-Induced Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the anogenital and head and neck regions are associated with high-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV). Deregulation of miRNA expression is an important contributor to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to pinpoint commonly and uniquely deregulated miRNAs in cervical, anal, vulvar, and tonsillar tumors of viral or non-viral etiology, searching for a common set of deregulated miRNAs linked to HPV-induced carcinogenesis. RNA was extracted from tumors and nonmalignant tissues from the same locations. The miRNA expression level was determined by next-generation sequencing. Differential expression of miRNAs was calculated, and the patterns of miRNA deregulation were compared between tumors. The total of deregulated miRNAs varied between tumors of different locations by two orders of magnitude, ranging from 1 to 282. The deregulated miRNA pool was largely tumor-specific. In tumors of the same location, a low proportion of miRNAs were exclusively deregulated and no deregulated miRNA was shared by all four types of HPV-positive tumors. The most significant overlap of deregulated miRNAs was found between tumors which differed in location and HPV status (HPV-positive cervical tumors vs. HPV-negative vulvar tumors). Our results imply that HPV infection does not elicit a conserved miRNA deregulation in SCCs.

Mutation differences in circulating tumor DNAs from non-small cell lung cancer patients between Uygur and Han populations

BACKGROUND

The incidence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Uygur population is gradually increasing recently. In view of the great diagnostic and prognostic values of cell-free DNAs (cfDNA) detection, this study focus on a liquid biopsy to explore the value of cfDNA mutation in healthy and NSCLC patients in 2 ethnicities.

METHODS

The concentration and sequencing of cfDNA in NSCLC and healthy subjects was assessed with a standard information analysis procedure, including detection, annotation, and statistical analysis. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were conducted to analyze the function of mutant genes and related pathways. Totally, 133 subjects, including 35 Uygur NSCLC patients, 10 Uygur healthy subjects, 63 cases of Han NSCLC patients and 25 Han health control, were admitted to the hospital.

RESULTS

There were a lower proportion of adenocarcinoma and higher percentage of smoking rate for Uygur patients. For cfDNA level between NSCLC and healthy subjects, Han patients exhibited sharp increase while there was no statistical difference in Uygur population. In addition, the mutation frequency of cfDNA in Han patients (72.6%) was significantly higher than Uygur patients (45.7%). There were 5 gene mutations only found in Han patients and ABCC11 showed a higher mutation frequency in Uygur population as a common one. Finally, Go and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed apprent functional enrichments and pathway changes between 2 ethnicities.

CONCLUSION

There existed distinct distributions of cancer subtypes, smoking proportion, cfDNA level, and mutation patterns between Han and Uygur patients. The results may be a useful tool in NSCLC patients' diagnosis as well as individualized therapy between ethnicities in future.

Nanog mediates tobacco smoke-induced enhancement of renal cancer stem cell properties

Nanog plays an important role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) which participate in tumorgenesis and progression. In renal cancer, tobacco smoke (TS) is considered a major risk factor. However, the molecular mechanism by which TS induces the development of renal CSC properties remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed that the level of Nanog was elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with a smoking history, and that Nanog overexpression promoted the traits of CSCs in renal cancer. We further demonstrated that a 8-week exposure of TS enhanced the formation of renal tumorspheres, increased the population of CD133-positive cells, and stimulated the expression of Nanog and CSC markers. In addition, TS was found to play a role in accelerating the cell growth transition from G1 to S phase in renal CSCs. Finally, we demonstrated that the TS-induced effects in renal CSCs could be reversed through the downregulation of Nanog. Our results suggested that Nanog plays a role in mediating TS-induced renal CSC properties. This study may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of TS-related renal tumorigenesis, which can contribute to the future development of therapeutics for renal cancer.

circSFMBT1 promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis via targeting miR-330-5p/PAK1 axis

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers that affects millions of people around the world. The prognosis of PC is poor with very limited effective treatments. Here, we fully investigated the function and underlying mechanism of circSFMBT1 (hsa_circ_0066147) in PC. Real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine levels of circSFMBT1, miR-330-5p, PAK1 (p21-activated kinase 1), or proliferation/metastasis-related proteins. Colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay detected the roles of circSFMBT1 and miR-330-5p in cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC cells, respectively. Dual luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to validate the interactions of circSFMBT1/miR-330-5p and miR-330-5p/PAK1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to examine the subcellular localization of circSFMBT1 and miR-330-5p. Subcutaneous tumor growth was monitored in nude mice and in vivo metastasis was examined as well following injection of PC cells into the tail vein. This study demonstrated that circSFMBT1 and PAK1 were up-regulated in PC tissues and cells, while miR-330-5p was down-regulated. circSFMBT1 directly bound miR-330-5p and inhibited its expression. In addition, circSFMBT1 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC cells through up-regulating proliferation-related proteins and down-regulating apoptosis-related proteins via miR-330-5p. miR-330-5p directly bound PAK1 mRNA and suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process via targeting PAK1 in PC cells. Further, knockdown circSFMBT1 increased miR-330-5p level, but decreased PAK1 expression and repressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Taken together, circSFMBT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of PC via regulating miR-330-5p/PAK1 pathway as a miR-330-5p sponge.

miR-101-3p/Rap1b signal pathway plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation after treatment with bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of therapy worldwide for osteoporosis. However, bisphosphonates also have limitations. The objective of this study was to determine the role of miR-101-3p/Rap1b signal pathway in osteoclast differentiation after treatment with bisphosphonates. Our results revealed that miR-101-3p was an important regulator in bisphosphonates treated-osteoclasts. When miR-101-3p was down-regulated in bone marrow-derived macrophage-like cells (BMMs), the development of mature osteoclasts was promoted, and vice versa. However, alendronate decreased multinucleated cell number regardless of whether miR-101-3p was knocked down or over-expressed. TRAP activity assay confirmed the above results. Luciferase assay indicated that miR-101-3p was a negative regulator of Rap1b. Western blot analysis revealed that protein expression level of Rap1b in BMMs transfected with OV-miR-101-3p was lower than that in BMMs transfected with an empty vector. Rap1b overexpression increased TRAP-positive multinucleated cells, while Rap1b inhibition decreased the cell numbers. In vivo data showed that miR-101-3p inhibited osteoclast differentiation in ovariectomized mice while overexpressed of Rap1b blocked the differentiation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that miR-101-3p/Rap1b signal pathway plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation after treatment with bisphosphonates.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A): a key phosphatase in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) has the highest relative risk of development as a comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The molecular mechanisms that mediate chronic inflammation and lung function impairment in COPD have been identified in LC. This suggests the two diseases are more linked than once thought. Emerging data in relation to a key phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), and its regulatory role in inflammatory and tumour suppression in both disease settings suggests that it may be critical in the progression of COPD to LC. In this review, we uncover the importance of the functional and active PP2A holoenzyme in the context of both diseases. We describe PP2A inactivation via direct and indirect means and explore the actions of two key PP2A endogenous inhibitors, cancerous inhibitor of PP2A (CIP2A) and inhibitor 2 of PP2A (SET), and the role they play in COPD and LC. We explain how dysregulation of PP2A in COPD creates a favourable inflammatory micro-environment and promotes the initiation and progression of tumour pathogenesis. Finally, we highlight PP2A as a druggable target in the treatment of COPD and LC and demonstrate the potential of PP2A re-activation as a strategy to halt COPD disease progression to LC. Although further studies are required to elucidate if PP2A activity in COPD is a causal link for LC progression, studies focused on the potential of PP2A reactivating agents to reduce the risk of LC formation in COPD patients will be pivotal in improving clinical outcomes for both COPD and LC patients in the future.

Identification of microRNAs as novel biomarkers for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a study based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have played important roles in the regulation of gene expression in many cancers, but their roles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the potential ESCC-specific key miRNAs from a large sample dataset in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

METHODS

Integrative bioinformatics analysis was used to identify key ESCC-specific miRNAs related to the ESCC patients' tumor histological grade and lymphatic metastasis from TCGA. Next, these key miRNA potential gene regulatory functions and relationships with ESCC patients' clinical characteristics and overall survival were analyzed. Finally, three key miRNAs were selected randomly and quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate in 51 newly diagnosed ESCC patients' tissues samples (collected from Nov. 2017 to Feb. 2019, in Wuwei, China) whether the bioinformatics analyses results were reliable and valid. Two-tailed Student's t test, Pearson Chi-squared test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used in this study.

RESULTS

Thirty-five ESCC-specific miRNAs from TCGA database were investigated (fold-change > 2.0, P < 0.05), and 28 participated in the miRNAs-mRNAs co-expression network construction, while 17 were related with ESCC patients' tumor histological grade, TNM stage, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, six miRNAs (including miR-200b-3p, miR-31-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-135b-5p, and miR-195-5p) were correlated with overall survival of ESCC patients (log-rank, P < 0.05). MiR-135b-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-195-5p were selected for verification of the expression levels in 51 ESCC patients' tissue samples by using qRT-PCR. We found that the fold-changes between qRT-PCR and TCGA were completely consistent. The results also suggested that miR-135b-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-195-5p were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation degrees (P < 0.05), miR-195-5p was significantly correlated with tumor TNM stage (P < 0.05), and miR-135b-5p was significantly correlated with lymph-node metastasis (P < 0.05). MiR-135b-5p, miR-15b-5p, and miR-195-5p expression levels, ESCC patient clinical features association analysis results and the aforementioned TCGA bioinformatics analyses were similar.

CONCLUSION

This study identified key ESCC-related miRNAs. The key miRNAs are worthy of further investigation as potential novel biomarkers for diagnosis, classification, and prognosis of ESCC.

Regulation of Eicosanoid Pathways by MicroRNAs

Over the last years, many microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified that regulate the formation of bioactive lipid mediators such as prostanoids and leukotrienes. Many of these miRNAs are involved in complex regulatory circuits necessary for the fine-tuning of biological functions including inflammatory processes or cell growth. A better understanding of these networks will contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of miRNA regulation in eicosanoid pathways with special focus on novel miRNA functions and regulatory circuits of leukotriene and prostaglandin biosynthesis.

miR-3687 Overexpression Promotes Bladder Cancer Cell Growth by Inhibiting the Negative Effect of FOXP1 on Cyclin E2 Transcription

Cyclin E2, a member of the cyclin family, is a key cell cycle-related protein. This protein plays essential roles in cancer progression, and, as such, an inhibitor of cyclin E2 has been approved to treat several types of cancers. Even so, mechanisms underlying how to regulate cyclin E2 expression in cancer remain largely unknown. In the current study, miR-3687 was upregulated in clinical bladder cancer (BC) tumor tissues, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and human BC cell lines. Inhibition of miR-3687 expression significantly reduced human BC cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, which coincided with the induction of G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest and downregulation of cyclin E2 protein expression. Interestingly, overexpression of cyclin E2 reversed the inhibition of BC proliferation induced by miR-3687. Mechanistic studies suggested that miR-3687 binds to the 3' UTR of foxp1 mRNA, downregulates FOXP1 protein expression, and in turn promotes the transcription of cyclin E2, thereby promoting the growth of BC cells. Collectively, the current study not only establishes a novel regulatory axis of miR-3687/FOXP1 regarding regulation of cyclin E2 expression in BC cells, but also provides strong suggestive evidence that miR-3687 and FOXP1 may be promising targets in therapeutic strategies for human BC.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG6 promotes glioma tumorigenesis by sponging miR-101-3p

INTRODUCTION

Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor. The small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG) SNHG6 is a potential oncogene in the development of several types of cancers.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the functional role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG6 in the malignancy of glioma in cell lines and transplanted nude mice.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was higher in glioma tissues and cells than in normal brain tissues and cells. The expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was positively correlated with the malignancy and poor prognosis of glioma patients. microRNA (miR)-101-3p expression was decreased in glioma tissues and cells and was negatively correlated with the malignancy and poor prognosis of glioma patients. In glioma tissues, the expression of lncRNA SNHG6 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-101-3p. SNHG6 contained a binding site of miR-101-3p. Knockdown of SNHG6 expression resulted in a significant increase of miR-101-3p expression. miR-101-3p mimic markedly decreased the luciferase activity of SNHG6. Knockdown of SNHG6 inhibited glioma cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and increased apoptosis. miR-101-3p mimic enhanced knockdown of SNHG6-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and EMT, and an increase of apoptosis. Anti-miR-101-3p reversed the the effects of si-SNHG6 on cell malignancy. Knockdown of SNHG6 remarkably reduced the increase of tumor volumes in xenograft mouse models. In tumor tissues, knockdown of SNHG6 increased the expression of miR-101-3p and reduced EMT biomarker expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides novel insights into the functions of lncRNA SNHG6/miR-101-3p axis in the tumorigenesis of glioma.

Cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco alter expression of different sets of miRNAs in oral keratinocytes

Carcinogenic effect of tobacco in oral cancer is through chewing and/or smoking. Significant differences exist in development of oral cancer between tobacco users and non-users. However, molecular alterations induced by different forms of tobacco are yet to be fully elucidated. We developed cellular models of chronic exposure to chewing tobacco and cigarette smoke using immortalized oral keratinocytes. Chronic exposure to tobacco resulted in increased cell scattering and invasiveness in immortalized oral keratinocytes. miRNA sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500 resulted in the identification of 10 significantly dysregulated miRNAs (4 fold; p ≤ 0.05) in chewing tobacco treated cells and 6 in cigarette smoke exposed cells. We integrated this data with global proteomic data and identified 36 protein targets that showed inverse expression pattern in chewing tobacco treated cells and 16 protein targets that showed inverse expression in smoke exposed cells. In addition, we identified 6 novel miRNAs in chewing tobacco treated cells and 18 novel miRNAs in smoke exposed cells. Integrative analysis of dysregulated miRNAs and their targets indicates that signaling mechanisms leading to oncogenic transformation are distinct between both forms of tobacco. Our study demonstrates alterations in miRNA expression in oral cells in response to two frequently used forms of tobacco.

Characteristic miRNA expression signature and random forest survival analysis identify potential cancer-driving miRNAs in a broad range of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma subtypes

AIM

To characterize the miRNA expression profile in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSSC) accounting for a broad range of cancer subtypes and consequently identify an optimal miRNA signature with prognostic value.

BACKGROUND

HNSCC is consistently among the most common cancers worldwide. Its mortality rate is about 50% because of the characteristic aggressive behavior of these cancers and the prevalent late diagnosis. The heterogeneity of the disease has hampered the development of robust prognostic tools with broad clinical utility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas HNSC dataset was used to analyze level 3 miRNA-Seq data from 497 HNSCC patients. Differential expression (DE) analysis was implemented using the limma package and multivariate linear model that adjusted for the confounding effects of age at diagnosis, gender, race, alcohol history, anatomic neoplasm subdivision, pathologic stage, T and N stages, and vital status. Random forest (RF) for survival analysis was implemented using the randomForestSRC package.

RESULTS

A characteristic DE miRNA signature of HNSCC, comprised of 11 upregulated (i.e., miR-196b-5p, miR-1269a, miR-196a-5p, miR-4652-3p, miR-210-3p, miR-1293, miR-615-3p, miR-503-5p, miR-455-3p, miR-205-5p, and miR-21-5p) and 9 downregulated (miR-376c-3p, miR-378c, miR-29c-3p, miR-101-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-299-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-6510-3p, miR-375) miRNAs was identified. An optimal RF survival model was built from seven variables including age at diagnosis, miR-378c, miR-6510-3p, stage N, pathologic stage, gender, and race (listed in order of variable importance).

CONCLUSIONS

The joint differential miRNA expression and survival analysis controlling for multiple confounding covariates implemented in this study allowed for the identification of a previously undetected prognostic miRNA signature characteristic of a broad range of HNSCC.

Low plasma levels of miR-101 are associated with tumor progression in gastric cancer

Background

Several studies have identified the decreased expression of the tumor suppressor miR-101 in various cancers. In this study, we tested miR-101 as a potential therapeutic target and novel plasma biomarker for gastric cancer (GC).

Results

The miR-101 expression level was significantly lower in GC tissues (P = 0.0038) and GC cell lines (P = 0.0238) than in normal gastric mucosa. Both exosomal and plasma miR-101 were significantly downregulated in GC patients compared with healthy volunteers (P = 0.0281 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Low miR-101 plasma level was significantly associated with advanced T factor, advanced disease stage, and peritoneal metastasis and predicted poor prognosis in GC patients (P = 0.0368; hazard ratio, 3.079; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–11.08). Overexpression of miR-101 in GC cells induced apoptosis by inhibiting MCL1 and suppressed cell migration and invasion by regulating ZEB1.

Conclusions

Depletion of the tumor suppressor miRNA-101 in plasma is related to tumor progression and poor outcomes. Low plasma miR-101 may be a biomarker for GC, and its restoration might be a novel anticancer treatment strategy.

MiR-101-3p Regulates the Viability of Lung Squamous Carcinoma Cells via Targeting EZH2

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of miR-101-3p on the viability, migration, invasion, and mitosis of lung squamous carcinoma cells by inhibiting EZH2. In this study, RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-101-3p and EZH2 in both tissues and cells at RNA level. The dual luciferase reporter gene system was used to determine whether there was targeting relationship between miR-101-3p and EZH2-3'UTR. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of EZH2 as well as the proliferation and invasion related proteins. The CCK-8 assay, Transwell invasion assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry were conducted to test the cell viability, invasion, migration and apoptosis. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that miR-101-3p was low-expressed and EZH2 was overexpressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma tissues and cells. Meanwhile the Western blot confirmed the effects of EZH2 expression on the proliferation and invasion of carcinoma cells. The results of luciferase assay and RT-qPCR showed that miR-101-3p had a negative regulation effect on EZH2. The CCK-8 assay, Transwell invasion assay, wound healing assay and flow cytometry results showed that the inhibition of EZH2 or the up-regulation of miR-101-3p inhibited the viability, migration, invasion and cell cycle but promoted cell apoptosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma. MiR-101-3p could inhibit the viability, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of lung squamous carcinoma cells by inhibiting the EZH2. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3142-3149, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.