AUTHOR=Zhang Yuyu , Huo Wei , Sun Lidi , Wu Jie , Zhang Chengbin , Wang Huanhuan , Wang Bin , Wei Jinlong , Qu Chao , Cao Hongshi , Jiang Xin 

TITLE=Targeting miR-148b-5p Inhibits Immunity Microenvironment and Gastric Cancer Progression

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.590447

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2021.590447

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been discovered to dictate the development of various tumors. However, studies on the roles of miRNAs in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) are still lacking.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Herein, by analyzing GC cell lines and patients samples, we observed that miR-148b-5p was significantly downregulated in GC. We also confirmed that miR-148b-5p overexpression significantly inhibited GC cell proliferation and invasion <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Overexpression of miR-148b-5p not only reprogrammed the metabolic properties of GC but also regulated the immune microenvironment by shifting lymphocyte and myeloid populations. Mechanistically, ATPIF1, an important glycolysis-associated gene, was identified as a direct target of miR-148b-5p and mediated the effect of miR-148b-5p. Notably, the low level of miR-148b-5p was significantly related with poor prognosis of GC patients (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001). Importantly, the levels of miR-148b-5p significantly changed the sensitivity of GC cells to several anti-cancer drugs (Doxorubicin, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05, Paclitaxel, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01, Docetaxel, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>Targeting miR-148b-5p inhibits immunity microenvironment and gastric cancer progression.</p></sec>