Effects of miR-132 on proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via Hedgehog signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE: Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway play key roles in the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-132 and Hh signaling pathway in the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells, and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of miR-132 and Shh (a ligand of Hh) in clinical pancreatic cancer specimens and pancreatic cancer cell lines were determined by qRT-PCR. Meanwhile, the correlation between the two molecules was analyzed. Pancreatic cancer cell line (MiaPaCe-2a) was transfected with miR-132 mimics and inhibitor. The effects of miR-132 up- and down-regulation on the expressions of miR-132, Shh, Cyclin-D1, cleaved Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-9 were detected. In addition, the exact role of miR-132 in the proliferation, apoptosis and distribution of MiaPaCe-2a cells were investigated. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-132 in pancreatic cancer specimens and pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly elevated when compared with that of control group. Meanwhile, miR-132 expression was negatively correlated with the expression level of Shh. Moreover, transfection with miR-132 mimics evidently up-regulated miR-132 expression. Moreover, miR-132 up-regulation significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Shh, facilitated the proliferation of MiaPaCe-2a cells, reduced the protein expressions of Cyclin-D1, cleaved Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-9, and suppressed cell apoptosis. On the contrary, miR-132 inhibitor transfection significantly inhibited the proliferative activity of MiaPaCe-2a cells, decreased the proportion of cells in G1 phase, and increased the proportion of cells in G2/M phase. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-132 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells through Hh signaling pathway.