Objective To investigate the expression of miR-127 in lung cancer and its effect on biological characteristics of lung cancer cells.

Methods The lung cancer and adjacent tissues of 20 patients were collected, and the expression levels of miR-127 in lung cancer and adjacent tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A549 cell line were transfected with miR-127 mimics. The proliferation activity of lung cancer cells in miR-127 mimics group and negative control (NC) group were detected by cell colony formation assay and MTT assay. Transwell assay were performed to calculate the number of lung cancer cells passing through the membrane, and to analyze the relationship between miR-127 and the migration of lung cancer cells.

Results The expression of miR-127 in lung cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent normal tissues (0.55±0.05 vs. 1.45±0.13, P=0.001). The expression of miR-127 in lung cancer tissues was decreased with the increased malignancy degree of pathological stage (H=6.528, P=0.034). The cell viability and proliferation of miR-127 mimics group were significantly inhibited (P=0.0032; P=0.0045). The number of lung cancer cells passing through the membrane in miR-127 mimics group was significantly lower than that in the NC group(79±18/field vs. 352±21/field, P=0.002).

Conclusion The expression of miR-127 is decreased in lung cancer tissues, and it inhibits the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells. It can be used as a potential clinical diagnostic marker for lung cancer, providing a new idea for early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.