MiR-548 c inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation through suppression of Galectin-3-mediated TLR 4 signaling pathway

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding small RNAs that repress the expression of a broad array of target genes. Many efforts have been made to therapeutically target miRNAs in lung cancer treatments. In the present study, we revealed that low miR-548c expression in lung cancer was correlated with poorer prognosis in patients with lung cancer; miR-548c could inhibit lung cancer cell viability and proliferation. Moreover, miR-548c inhibited LGALS3 and TLR-4 expression through direct targeting; LGALS3 acted as a ceRNA to modulate TLR-4 expression by sponging miR-548c expression. Through miR-548c suppression of Galectin-3 and TLR-4, miR-548c exerted its inhibitory effect on lung cancer cells. What’s more, Galectin-3-mediated TLR-4 signaling activation was involved in miR-548c regulation of lung cancer cell proliferation. Taken together, this miR-548c/Galectin-3/TLR-4 axis might represent an attractive target for the treatment of lung cancer.