miR-145-5p reduces proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting KLF5

MicroRNAs (miRs) are important in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. miR-145-5p acts as a tumor suppressor in certain malignancies, however, its role in HCC remains unclear. The present study aimed to perform a functional analysis of miR-145-5p in HCC in order to elucidate its role in the pathogenesis of HCC. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to analyze tissue and cellular expression of miR-145-5p in HCC. Following miRNA mimics transfection, cell viability, apoptosis and cells migration were determined by Cell Counting kit-8, Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining and Transwell analyses. The target of miR-145-5p was analyzed by luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis. It was observed that miR-145-5p was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-145-5p significantly increased apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation and suppressed HCC cell migration. Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is regarded as a target of miR-145-5p in HCC cells. In addition, KLF5 overexpression partially attenuated the tumor suppressive effects of miR-145-5p. KLF5 expression was negatively associated with levels of miR-145-5p in HCC tissues. The present study demonstrated that miRNA-145-5p may, by targeting KLF5, partially suppress HCC cell growth and motility. The results of the present study suggested that miRNA-145-5p alteration in HCC may serve a role in the progression of HCC.