Conclusion
MiR-19a enhanced cell migration, invasion and EMT through RhoB in osteosarcoma. The newly identified miR-19a/RhoB axis provides novel insight into the progression of osteosarcoma and offers a promising target for osteosarcoma therapy.
Methods
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were employed to measure the levels of miR-19a and RhoB in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Transwell assay was employed to analyze the tissues and cell lines' migratory and invasive abilities. Dual luciferase reporter assay was utilized to analyze the association between miR-19a and RhoB.
Results
MiR-19a was overexpressed in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. MiR-19a promoted osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion in vitro. RhoB was thus confirmed as a direct and functional target of miR-19a, and it could partially reverse the function of miR-19a. Knockdown miR-19a inhibited osteosarcoma cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppressed osteosarcoma xenograft growth.