Objective        To construct an eukaryotic expression vector of pEGFP-C2-miR-126-sponge targeting to miR-126 and investigate its effect on the expression of miR-126 and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

in order to provide preliminary experimental fundament for study on the role of miR-126 in the pathogenesis of the cancer.       Methods       The sequence of miR-126-sponge was designed and synthesized. The pEGFP-C2-miR-126-sponge eukaryotic expression vector was

constructed and then transiently transfected into HepG2 cells in vitro. The proportion of EGFP-positive cells was observed under the fluorescence microscope. Then

the expression level of miR-126 was detected by real-time PCR. Moreover

the proliferation of HepG2 cells was observed by MTT assay and colony formation assay. Finally

the migration of HepG2 cells was also determined by Scratch assay.       Results        The pEGFP-C2-miR-126-sponge eukaryotic expression vector (termed as p-miR-126-sp) was successfully constructed. Compared with control group (p-Cont)

the expression level of miR-126 was significantly decreased in p-miR-126-sp transfected HepG2 cells (

P

0.05). MTT assay showed that the proliferation of HepG2 cells was dramatically reduced in p-miR-126-sp transfected cells (P0.05); Furthermore

the number of both colony forming and migrating cells were also remarkably reduced in p-miR-126-sp transfected cells (

P

0.05).        Conclusion      The miR-126-sponge can significantly reduce the expression of miR-126 and inhibit the proliferation and migration of the HepG2 cells.