RETRACTED: MicroRNA-148a suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by targeting Wnt10b and inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (Retracted article. See vol. 49, 2023)

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in the process of cancer invasion and metastasis. The Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is known as a stimulative factor, which may trigger EMT and metastasis of cancer cells. In addition, several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proven to regulate the EMT process. Recent research revealed that miR-148a is downregulated in pancreatic cancer. However, the definite role of miR-148a in EMT and invasion of pancreatic cancer is still unknown. The present study attempted to demonstrate the underlying mechanism of miR-148a in the regulation of EMT and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Our data revealed that the expression of miR-148a was markedly downregulated in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines and tissues. In addition, the downregulation of miR-148a was associated with poor prognosis and EMT phenotype. Furthermore, restoration of miR-148a expression inhibited the EMT process, as well as the migration and invasion of BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Wnt10b, a promoting molecule of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, was demonstrated by dual-luciferase reporter assay to be a direct target of miR-148a. Subsequently, we found that miR-148a negatively regulated the protein expression of beta-catenin, cyclin D1 and MMP-9, which were important components of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, these findings revealed that miR-148a suppresses EMT and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by targeting Wnt10b and inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, and thus, miR-148a may serve as a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.