MicroRNA-486-3p Targets Chymotrypsin C to Regulate Pancreatic Cancer Progression and Immunosuppressive Factor Expression

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common digestive system tumor with high mortality rates and a poor prognosis. Reports suggest that microRNA (miR)-486-3p in PDAC can be used as a diagnostic biomarker. This research aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-486-3p regulates PDAC progression. miR-486-3p and chymotrypsin C (CTRC) expression in PDAC were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in the biological properties of PDAC cells were assessed by Transwell assay, scratch-wound assay, cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, and plate cloning assay. The protein expression of immunosuppressive factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-β) in PDAC cells was detected by western blot. Additionally, a subcutaneous graft tumor model was constructed to explore the influence of silencing miR-486-3p on PDAC in vivo. PDAC showed a pronounced increase in miR-486-3p expression. Upregulation of miR-486-3p stimulated PDAC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and immunosuppressive factor protein expression, whereas silencing miR-486-3p hindered PDAC malignant development. miR-486-3p targets and negatively regulates CTRC expression. Silencing CTRC partially rescued the restraining impact of silencing miR-486-3p on PDAC malignant progression. In vivo experiments also indicated that silencing miR-486-3p inhibited PDAC malignant progression and immunosuppressive factor expression in vivo. In summary, miR-486-3p promotes immunosuppressive factor protein expression by targeting and negatively regulating CTRC expression, which in turn promotes PDAC malignant progression.