Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of miR-132 on the proliferation and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells by negatively targeting the expression of Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7). Methods NPC CNE-2Z cells were divided into blank group, NC group, miR-132 mimics group, KLF7-OE group and miR-132 mimics + KLF7-OE group. The expressions of miR-132 in NPC tissues and cells and normal nasopharyngeal tissues and cells were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression level of KLF7 protein was detected by Western blot assay. The targeting relationship between KLF7 and miR-132 was predicted and verified by TargetScan website and dual luciferase detection. CCK-8 test and Transwell test were used to detect the proliferation, migration and invasion of CNE-2Z cells. The tumor formation test in nude mice and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the growth of CNE-2Z cells in vivo and the blood vessels in tumor. Results The expression level of miR-132 was decreased in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissue than that in normal nasopharyngeal tissue, and the expression of KLF7 protein was increased. The expression level of miR-132 was decreased in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells than that in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells NP69, and the expression of KLF7 protein was increased (P＜0.05). TargetScan prediction and dual luciferase detection showed that KLF7 was the target gene of miR-132. Compared with those in the blank group and NC group, the expression of KLF7 protein, cell proliferation activity at 36, 48 and 60 h, numbers of migration and invasion, tumor volume and microvessel density (MVD) in CNE-2Z cells were significantly decreased in miR-132 mimics group (P＜0.05), while the results were oppositive in KLF7- OE group (P＜0.05). Compared with those in miR-132 mimics group, the expression level of KLF7 protein, cell proliferation activity at 36, 48 and 60 h, numbers of migration and invasion, tumor volume and MVD were significantly increased in miR-132 mimics + KLF7-OE group (P＜0.05). Conclusion miR-132 can affect the proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells by negatively regulating the expression of KLF7.

Key words: nasopharyngeal neoplasms, cell proliferation, cell movement, Kruppel-like transcription factors, microRNAs, miR-132, Kruppel-like factor 7