Ectopic expression of miR-BART9 in both BM1 and TW04 cells significantly up-regulated the expression levels of multiple matrix metalloproteases, including MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, MMP10 and MMP12, suggesting that miR-BART9 could enhance degradation of the extracellular matrix and promote the motility of NPC cells (Figure 8A). Here, MMP1 is linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.