miR-615-5p is restrictedly expressed in cirrhotic and cancerous liver tissues and its overexpression alleviates the tumorigenic effects in hepatocellular carcinoma

► miR-615-5p expression was absent in healthy liver tissues. ► miR-615-5p was detectable in cirrhotic, HCC tissues and cell lines. ► miR-615-5p mimicking suppressed cellular proliferation, viability and migration. ► IGF-II was shown to be directly regulated by miR-615-5p. ► miR-615-5p is a putative tumor suppressor microRNA in HCC.