Effect of miR-4677-3p Targeted Inhibition of MMP2 on the Proliferation and Migration of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Vitro

WANG Xinshuai; LU Jia; SHEN Shen; ZHANG Jiechong

doi:10.15926/j.cnki.issn2096-7381.2026.01.001

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of miR-4677-3p-mediated targeting of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP2)on the proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)cells in vitro.Methods The GSE263647 dataset was downloaded from the GEO database,and bioinformatic analysis identified MMP2 as a key prognosis-associated gene in ESCC.Potential miRNA regulating MMP2 expression were predicted using miRWalk and miRDB databases.MMP2 expression levels were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot in human normal esophageal epithelial cells(HEEC)and four ESCC cell lines.MMP2 was knocked down by siRNA transfection and overexpressed via lentivirus infection in two ESCC cell lines(KYSE-150 and KYSE-70).Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,and cell migration ability was observed via the scratch wound healing assay.Cells were transfected with miR-4677-3p mimics or inhibitor to evaluate MMP2 expression changes.Results 467 differentially expressed genes and 89 miRNAs were identified.MMP2 showed significantly elevated expression in ESCC tissues and cell lines,and its high expression was associated with poor patient prognosis.Functional analysis showed that MMP2 knockdown significantly inhibited cellular proliferation and migration in ESCC cells,while overexpression enhanced these malignant phenotypes.miR-4677-3p mimics downregulated MMP2 expression and suppressed proliferative and migratory capacities,whereas the inhibitor had the opposite effect.Conclusion miR-4677-3p modulates proliferation and migration of ESCC cells through targeted regulation of MMP2 expression,suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for ESCC.