HOXA10 Promotes Cell Invasion and MMP-3 Expression Via TGFβ2-Mediated Activation of the p38 MAPK Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

HOXA10 is closely related to tumor progression in many human cancers. However, the role of HOXA10 in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of HOXA10 in pancreatic cancer cell invasion and migration. The effect of HOXA10 on the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells was assessed by invasion and migration assays. The protein of transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF beta 2) was neutralized by TGF beta 2 blocking antibody. The activation of p38 was inhibited by SB239063. HOXA10 could promote the invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Knockdown of HOXA10 decreased the expressions of TGF beta 2 and matrix metallopeptidase-3 (MMP-3) and suppressed the activation of p38. Conversely, overexpression of HOXA10 increased the levels of TGF beta 2 and MMP-3. Further experiments identified that TGF beta 2 contributed to the HOXA10-promoted invasion and migration and regulated MMP-3 expression and p38 activation. Additionally, inhibition of p38 suppressed cell invasion and MMP-3 expression in pancreatic cancer cells. HOXA10 promotes cell invasion and MMP-3 expression of pancreatic cancer cells via TGF beta 2-p38 MAPK pathway. Thus, HOXA10 could be a useful target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.