MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are vital for regulating the malignant phenotypes of tumor cells. The purpose of this work is to investigate the function and downstream mechanism of miR-103 in the progression of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods and Materials Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed to detect miR-103 and OTU deubiquitinase 7B (OTUD7B) mRNA expressions in NHL tissues and cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of OTUD7B

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... in NHL tissues and cells. CCK-8 experiment, flow cytometry analysis, and Transwell experiment were used to detect the role of NHL cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Bioinformatics, qRT-PCR, Western blot and dualluciferase reporter assays were used to validate the targeting relationship between miR-103 and OTUD7B. NF-κB p65 luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were applied to determine NF-κB activity and the expression of NF-κB targeted genes. Results Compared to normal tissues and cells, miR-103 expression levels were remarkably up-regulated in NHL tissues and cell lines. The up-regulation of miR-103 dramatically promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of NHL cells and inhibited apoptosis. Conversely, down-regulating miR-103 significantly inhibited malignant phenotypes of the NHL cells. Additionally, OTUD7B was identified as a target gene of miR-103, and miR-103 increased NF-κB activity indirectly via repressing OTUD7B. Conclusion The miR-103/OTUD7B/NF-κB axis is involved in NHL progression.