miR-130b promotes bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VGLL4

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common urological cancer, and more and more evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in BCa pathogenesis. Aberrant miR-130b expression has been reported in several types of cancers. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of miR-130b on BCa progression. miR-130b expression in BCa cell lines and tissues was detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and vestigial-like protein 4 (VGLL4) expression in tissue specimens and BCa cells that had been transfected with miR-130b mimics and inhibitors was detected using western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm whether the VGLL4 gene is a direct target of miR-130b, and in vitro cell function testing, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to examine BCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability after the cells were transfected with miR-130b mimics and inhibitors and VGLL4 siRNA. miR-130b was found to be upregulated in BCa cells and tissues. miR-130b overexpression promoted BCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas miR-130b inhibition had the opposite effects. Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that the VGLL4 gene was a direct target of miR-130b and that VGLL4 suppression was crucial for miR-130b-induced BCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The present study showed that miR-130b was significantly upregulated in BCa and may play an oncogenic role in BCa occurrence and development by targeting VGLL4. miR-130b may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of BCa.