miR‑140‑5p inhibits human glioma cell growth and invasion by targeting JAG1.

miR‑140‑5p has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in several types of human cancer, however, little is known about its expression and function in human gliomas. The present study aimed to detect the expression of miR‑140‑5p in human glioma tissues and cell lines, and to investigate the effect of miR‑140‑5p on glioma cell growth, invasion and adhesion using in vitro gain‑of‑function and loss‑of‑function experiments. Furthermore, the hypothesis that Jagged1 (JAG1) may be a target gene of miR‑140‑5p was tested. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that miR‑140‑5p was significantly downregulated in human glioma tissues and cell lines compared with normal tissues, and that its expression was correlated with the grade of gliomas. Transfection of a miR‑140‑5p mimic into SW1783 glioma cells promoted cell growth, invasion and adhesion, as determined by MTT, Transwell and cell adhesion assays respectively. By contrast, transfection of a miR‑140‑5p inhibitor had the opposite effect. A dual‑luciferase reporter assay confirmed that JAG1 was a target gene of miR‑140‑5p, and miR‑140‑5p inhibited JAG1 expression both at the mRNA and protein level. In addition, JAG1 overexpression reversed the effect of miR‑140‑5p on glioma cell growth, invasion and adhesion. In conclusion, the present study is the first to reveal that miR‑140‑5p acts as a tumor suppressor in human gliomas. JAG1 was demonstrated to be a novel target of miR‑140‑5p, and miR‑140‑5p exerted its inhibitory effect on human glioma growth and invasion, partly by suppressing JAG1. The present study may provide useful information toward novel targets for the treatment of gliomas.