Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-152 (miR-152) targeting at angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) on the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) of HCCLM3 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Methods The cultured HCCLM3 cells were divided into untransfected group (untreated), negative control group (transfection negative control sequence) and miR-152 group (transfected miR-152 mimic). The expressions of miR-152, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (AngII) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) mRNAs were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Cell invasion and migration were detected by TranswellTM assay. The expression of vimentin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and AGTR1 were tested by western blot. The targeting relationship between miR-152 and AGTR1 were examined by double luciferase reporter assay. Results Compared with the untransfected group or the negative control group, the expression levels of miR-152 and E-cadherin protein in the miR-152 group significantly increased, while the expression levels of ACE, AngII, AGTR1 mRNA, the number of invaded cells, the number of migrating cells, and the protein expression levels of vimentin, N-cadherin, and AGTR1 decreased significantly. The results of double luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-152 can target binding with AGTR1. Conclusion miR-152 may inhibit EMT and RAS of HCCLM3 cells by targeting down-regulation of AGTR1 expression.