Overexpression of microRNA-448 inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion through targeting of astrocyte elevated gene-1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been implicated in the development and progression of osteosarcoma. miR-448 is emerging as a tumor-associated miRNA in many human cancers. However, the role of miR‑448 in osteosarcoma remains unknown. The present study aimed to identify the potential role of miR‑448 in osteosarcoma. It was demonstrated that miR‑448 was significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma cell lines, as detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR). miR‑448 mimics were transfected into osteosarcoma cells to overexpress miR‑448. Overexpression of miR‑448 markedly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in osteosarcoma cells. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that astrocyte elevated gene‑1 (AEG‑1) was a target gene of miR‑448. RT‑qPCR and western blot analysis revealed that miR‑448 inhibited AEG‑1 expression. Further data revealed that miR‑448 overexpression impeded the Wnt and nuclear factor‑κB signaling pathways. However, restoration of AEG‑1 expression could abolish the miR‑448‑mediated antitumor effects. Taken together, these findings suggested that miR‑448 may inhibit osteosarcoma development by targeting AEG‑1, providing a novel candidate miRNA for development of miRNA‑targeted therapies for osteosarcoma.