Promoting effects of MiR-135b on human multiple myeloma cells via regulation of the Wnt/ß-catenin/Versican signaling pathway.

MicroRNA (MiR)-135b and its mediated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway are involved in human malignancies. However, their roles in multiple myeloma (MM) remained poorly understood. Our study aimed to uncover their roles in MM. MiR-135b and Versican expressions were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MM cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. Relative expression of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway-related protein was quantified by Western blot. MiR-135b was upregulated in the serum of MM patients, and miR-135b upregulation promoted MM cell proliferation, migration and invasion but suppressed apoptosis. Also, miR-135b upregulation promoted activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. However, downregulation of miR-135b caused an opposite effect. After incubating cells with miR-135b inhibitor and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway agonist Lithium chloride (LiCl), which reversed the effects of downregulating miR-135b. Versican is the downstream effector of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and its silencing reversed the effects of LiCl on MM cells. In conclusion, miR-135b and its mediated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway promoted proliferation, migration and invasion but suppressed apoptosis of MM cells through regulating Versican, providing a possible treatment for MM.