MicroRNA-652 inhibits the biological characteristics of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by directly targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Changes in miRNA expression may be associated with ESCC formation and progression. Therefore, the identification of ESCC-associated miRNAs may facilitate the development of effective therapeutic approaches for patients with ESCC. Recently, miRNA-652 (miR-652) was recognized as a cancer-associated miRNA in a number of different types of cancer. However, the expression status and roles of miR-652 in ESCC as well as the molecular mechanisms modulated or altered by it remain largely unknown. In the present study, it was demonstrated that miR-652 was downregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Functional assays showed that upregulation of miR-652 expression decreased proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells. Mechanistically, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) was determined to be a direct target of miR-652 in ESCC cells. Additionally, FGFR1 was upregulated in ESCC tissues, and the expression of FGFR1 was inversely correlated with miR-652 expression. Furthermore, restoring FGFR1 expression abolished the suppressive effects of miR-652 overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells. These findings demonstrated that miR-652 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells by directly targeting FGFR1.