Vaspin accelerates the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of Triple-Negative breast cancer through MiR-33a-5p/ABHD2

Objective To explore the influence and the underlying mechanism of vaspin (visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin) on the development of triple-negative breast malignancy. Methods First, we analyzed medical records and screened out 22 breast cancer patients with different BMI according to inclusion and exclusion criterion, and measured serum vaspin of those patients. Then we studied the effects of vaspin on TNBC cell lines by using EdU assay, colony formation, transwell and wound-healing assay. Later, we used bioinformatics analysis to identify downstream effectors and verify with qRT-PCR, luciferase assay, western blot, etc. Results We found the vaspin level was positively correlated with BMI in breast malignant patients and vaspin could significantly enhance the proliferation, infiltration and transferring of triple-negative breast cancer cells by restraining the expression of miR-33a-5p. By using bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay, we identified miR-33a-5p directly regulating ABHD2. Conclusion Vaspin, as a cancer-promoting cytokine, may inhibit miR-33a-5p thus increasing the level of ABHD2 to promote the development of the triple-negative breast cancer.