MicroRNA-379 inhibits laryngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion through directly targeting TCF-4

The expression pattern, functions, and detailed regulatory mechanisms of miR-379 in laryngeal carcinoma remain unknown. In the present study, we aimed to uncover novel potential miR-379 targets and shed light on its roles in laryngeal carcinoma. The expression level of miR-379 was measured based on the data obtained from the TCGA database and the cell lines. After miR-379 mimic transfection, cell proliferation, invasion and migration assay, and wound-healing assay in HEp-2 cell line were implemented to evaluate the effects of miR-379 on laryngeal carcinoma in vitro. The target genes for miR-379 in silico were predicted and validated using luciferase reporter assay. The miR-379 expression level was reduced in laryngeal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-379 overexpression inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells. TCF-4 was detected as a direct target of miR-379 in laryngeal carcinoma. Furthermore, restored TCF-4 expression rescued the inhibitory roles of miR-379 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.Our study for the first time demonstrated that miR-379/TCF-4 might involve in the progression of laryngeal carcinoma, and miR-379 appears to serve as a novel tumor suppressor in laryngeal carcinoma.