Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of miR-223 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRcc) and its clinical
implications. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the levels of miR- 223 expression in ccRcc,
pair-matched adjacent normal tissues and different renal cancer cell lines. Transwell migration essay and wound healing essay
were used to evaluate the invasion and migration of renal cancer 786-O cells transfected with miR-223 mimics. MTT essay was
used to measure the cell proliferation, and the cell cycle changes following the transfection were analyzed with flow cytometry.
Results Compared with the normal tissues, the cancer samples showed up-regulated miR-223 expression, which was
associated with tumor size. In 786-O cell cultures, transfection with miR-223 mimics significantly enhanced cell migration (P<
0.0001) and growth (P=0.006) and induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Conclusion miR-223 promotes renal cancer cell migration and
proliferation and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ccRcc.