MiR-155 regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells through targeting SOCS3.

Abstract

Reduced expression of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is associated with a variety of tumors. The elevated miR-155 expression is associated with the onset of pancreatic cancer. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a targeted relation between miR-155 and the 3'-UTR of SOCS3. This study investigated whether miR-155 regulates SOCS3 expression and affects the biological effects of pancreatic cancer cells. QRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-155 and SCOS3 mRNA in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues of patients with pancreatic cancer. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay validated the target interaction between miR-155 and SOCS3. Pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 cells were divided into miR-NC group and miR-155 inhibitor group followed by an analysis of the expressions of SOCS3, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3, cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation by EdU staining. Compared with adjacent tissues, miR-155 expression was increased in tumor tissues of patients with pancreatic cancer, and SOCS3 expression was decreased. There was a targeted regulatory relationship between miR-155 and SOCS3 mRNA. Compared with HPDE6-C7 cells, miR-155 expression in pancreatic cancer SW1990 and Capan-1 cells was increased, and SOCS3 expression was decreased. Transfection of miR-155 inhibitor significantly increased SOCS3 expression in pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells, decreased the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3, increased cell apoptosis, and decreased cell proliferation. Increased miR-155 expression and decreased SOCS3 expression are related to the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. miR-155 inhibits the proliferation and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells by inhibition of SOCS3 expression.