They found that in human lung cancer cells, reduced expression of the microRNA miR-125a-5p, which enables cell death or apoptosis, is associated with increased levels of a protein called TIMP-1. This protein has already been associated with poor prognosis in cancer.
To analyse the effects of TIMP-1, researchers used knockdown techniques to decrease levels of TIMP-1 levels in cancer cells. They saw a reduction in metastasis and an increase in the rate of apoptosis , with corresponded to an increased expression of miR-125a-5p.