Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive tumor entity characterized by early metastasis and late diagnosis. MicroRNA-133b (miR-133b) has been considered as a tumor suppressor in many human cancers by regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the specific effects of miR-133b and EGFR on ESCC remain unclear.

qRT-PCR and western blotting were applied for measuring expression of mRNA and protein. Flow cytometry was used for detecting cell cycle and apoptosis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by colony formation and transwell assays. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interaction between miR-133b and EGFR.

Low expression of miR-133b and high expression of EGFR were identified in ESCC cells and tissues. Overexpression of miR-133b or knockdown of EGFR suppressed the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells, and raised the percentage of G1 phase cells. The apoptosis of ESCC cells were promoted by increasing miR-133b and decreasing EGFR expression. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed EGFR as the target of miR-133b in ESCC cells. Overexpression of miR-133b significantly decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K, ERK and AKT by directly down-regulating EGFR. Higher expression of E-cadherin and CK-18 and lower expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin were observed after the transfection of miR-133b mimics or shEGFR.

Overexpression of miR-133b could suppress proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells by inhibiting MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways through targeting EGFR, indicating that miR-133b might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ESCC.