qRT‒PCR and western blot analysis showed that HMGB1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels was significantly reduced in lung cancer cells transfected with miR-142-3p mimics, while HMGB1 expression was increased in cells transfected with miR-142-3p inhibitor (Fig. 4a-c). The gene discussed is HMGB1; the disease is lung cancer.