Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Fluorescent Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 20, 2016
miR-34c-3p targets FOXO3 to promote pancreatic carcinoma progression
Zhenxiong Xie1, Lin Ji1, Fang Wu1
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been a popular subject of tumor research including pancreatic carcinoma (PC). MicroRNA-34c-3p (miR-34c-3p) is a member of miR-34c cluster, which is strongly associated with tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, miR-34c-3p has not been explored in PC. MiR-34c-3p was taken as a target to explore its current clinical significance and related molecular mechanisms in PC. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to monitor miR-34c-3p and FOXO3 level in tissues and PC cells. Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was utilized to verifying the relationship between miR-34c-3p and FOXO3. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assay were applied to detect cell proliferation, migration and invasion. MiR-34c-3p was markedly elevated in PC tissues and closely related with lymph node metastasis, post-treatment nodal margin category and degree of differentiation. MiR-34c-3p upregulation could predict poorer prognosis and higher risk of PC patients. In PC cells, overexpression of miR-34c-3p enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, miR-34c-3p negatively regulated FOXO3 to promote cellular processes. High level of miR-34c-3p is a poor prognostic factor for PC patients and miR-34c-3p promotes tumor progression by negatively regulating FOXO3.
Insights
MicroRNA-34c-3p (miR-34c-3p) is elevated in pancreatic cancer (PC) and linked to poorer prognosis. This microRNA promotes PC progression by negatively regulating FOXO3, impacting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in tumor research, with the miR-34c cluster implicated in tumorigenesis.
- The specific role of microRNA-34c-3p (miR-34c-3p) in pancreatic carcinoma (PC) remained unexplored.
- Understanding miR-34c-3p's function is vital for advancing PC diagnostics and therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance and molecular mechanisms of miR-34c-3p in pancreatic cancer.
- To determine the relationship between miR-34c-3p expression and patient prognosis.
- To elucidate the downstream targets and cellular functions regulated by miR-34c-3p in PC.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for quantifying miR-34c-3p and FOXO3 levels.
- Dual-Luciferase reporter assay to confirm the interaction between miR-34c-3p and FOXO3.
- Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays to assess cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Main Results:
- miR-34c-3p was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and correlated with lymph node metastasis, margin status, and differentiation.
- Elevated miR-34c-3p levels predicted a poorer prognosis and increased risk in PC patients.
- Overexpression of miR-34c-3p in PC cells enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion, mediated by negative regulation of FOXO3.
Conclusions:
- High miR-34c-3p expression is a significant poor prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer.
- miR-34c-3p promotes pancreatic cancer progression by targeting and downregulating FOXO3.
- This study identifies miR-34c-3p as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
