miR-15a inhibits cell proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by down-regulating Bmi-1 expression

PurposesTo investigate whether miR-15a inhibits cell proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) via the down-regulation of B cell-specific moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1 (Bmi-1) expression.Methods and ResultsmiR-15a and Bmi-1 expressions in normal pancreatic tissue and PDAC tissue were measured. The relationship between miR-15a and Bmi-1 expression was analyzed. We found that miR-15a suppressed the expression of Bmi-1 and PDAC cell proliferation; E-cadherin expression was visibly up-regulated after silencing Bmi-1 by transfecting miR-15a into PDAC cell line.ConclusionmiR-15a inhibits cell proliferation and EMT in PDAC via the down-regulation of Bmi-1 expression.