miR-103 regulates triple negative breast cancer cells migration and invasion through targeting olfactomedin 4

Our previous study showed olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) suppressed triple-negative breast cancer cells migration, invasion and metastasis-associated protein MMP 9 expression. OLFM4 was identified as a potential target of miR-103 according to microRNA target databases and published studies. The aim of this study is to validate the relationship between miR-103 and OLFM4, and explore the function and clinical significance of miR-103 in triple-negative breast cancer patients. In our results, miR-103 negatively regulated OLFM4 expression by directly targeting its 3′-UTR. OLFM4 was a functional target of miR-103 to regulate triple-negative breast cancer cells migration, invasion and MMP 9 expression. Moreover, miR-103 overexpression was observed in triple-negative breast cancer tissues and cell lines, and associated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and clinical stage. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that miR-103 overexpression was a poor independent prognostic factor for triple-negative breast cancer patients. In conclusion, miR-103 acts as an oncogene miRNA to promote triple-negative breast cancer cells migration and invasion through targeting OLFM4.