miRNAs directly target sequences in the STAT4 3′UTR. (A) Human STAT4 might be the molecular target of miR-132, miR-212, and miR-200a. This diagram represents a sequence alignment of miR-132, -212, and -200a and their target sites in STAT4 3′UTR, and relative mutated versions. (B) miRNAs reduced luciferase activity in cells transfected with wild-type reporter (WT-3′UTR), but not in cells transfected with mutated-type reporter (132/212 or 200a MT-3′UTR). HEK293T cells were cotransfected with wild (or mutated) type STAT4 3′UTR firefly luciferase reporter plasmids, pTK-Renilla-luciferase plasmids, together with control (ctrl), miR-132, miR-212, miR-200a mimics, or equimolar mixtures of the 3 indicated miRNAs (final concentration as indicated). After 48 hours, firefly luciferase activity was measured and normalized by renilla luciferase activity. Representative data from 3 independent experiments are shown, and each bar indicates the mean value ± SEM (n = 3). *P < .05, **P < .01 versus cells transfected control mimics.