MicroRNA-93 promotes bladder cancer proliferation and invasion by targeting PEDF.

MicroRNA-93 (miR-93) is upregulated in the urine of patients with bladder cancer (BC). Here, we investigated the role of miR-93 in BC progression and explored the underlying mechanism. miR-93 expression in BC tissues and cells was detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction. The effects of miR-93 and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) on cell proliferation and invasion were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays. The binding of miR-93 to the 3'-untranslated region of PEDF was identified by the luciferase reporter assay. miR-93 expression was higher in BC tissues than in normal controls, and its expression was associated with tumor stage and node stage. Inhibition of miR-93 suppressed the proliferation and invasion of BC cells. PEDF was identified as a target of miR-93 and shown to mediate the effect of miR-93 on cell proliferation and invasion. The present data suggested that miR-93 promoted BC cell proliferation and invasion by targeting PEDF, providing new biomarkers and targets for BC diagnosis and treatment.