Association of miR-122-3p expression and FOXO on cell apoptosis. The expression levels of FOXO, bim, and pro- and activated caspase-3 was performed by western blot analysis. Inhibition of miR-122-3p downregulated the expression of FOXO. miR-122-3p induced apoptosis by targeting FOXO in A549 cells. miR, microRNA; FOXO, Forkhead box O; p, phosphorylated.