Although increasing evidence indicates that the deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis and invasion, little is known about the role of miR-133b in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present study, we revealed that the introduction of miR-133b dramatically suppressed NSCLC cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. On the contrary, miR-133b inhibitors promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. Further studies revealed that matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) is a direct target gene of miR-133b. Silencing MMP9 inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells, which was consistent with the effect of miR-133b overexpression. In clinical specimens, reduced miR-133b was an unfavorable factor and negatively correlated with MMP9 expression. Our studies demonstrate that miR-133b inhibits cell growth, migration, and invasion by targeting MMP9 in NSCLC.

Background: sIL-6R is involved in a variety of inflammatory diseases. The present study analyzed the potential associations between two IL6R gene polymorphisms (rs2228145 and rs12083537) and asthma in a Han Chinese population. Methods: A cohort of 394 patients and 395 healthy controls were genotyped to detect the two polymorphisms using SNaPshot. In 66 asthma patients and 49 controls, peripheral eosinophil and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined using a routine blood test, and sIL-6R levels were measured by ELISA. Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between the patients and controls in the distribution of the two independent IL6R polymorphisms (p > 0.05). However, rs2228145 C and rs12083537 G were significantly associated with decreased lung function in patients with asthma; the rs2228145 A–C variant was also associated with increased sIL-6R and IgE levels. In addition, sIL-6R levels were positively associated with IgE and inversely associated with lung function in patients with asthma. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that rs2228145 C and rs12083537 G are associated with poor lung function in patients with asthma. Furthermore, the rs2228145 A–C variant is associated with levels of sIL-6R and IgE.