FOXO3a inhibits the EMT and metastasis of breast cancer by regulating TWIST-1 mediated miR-10b/CADM2 axis

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and has been considered as a leading cause of cancer death in women. Exploring the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis is extremely important for seeking novel therapeutic strategies and improving prognosis. METHODS: Clinical specimens and pathological characteristics were collected for evaluating the expression of forkhead box class O 3a (FOXO3a) and twist-related protein 1 (TWIST-1) in breast cancer tissues. CCK-8 assay was used to analyze cell proliferation. Cell invasion and migration were assessed by transwell assays. The expression of FOXO3a, TWIST-1, miR-10b, CADM2, FAK, phosphor-AKT and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein (N-cadherin, E-cadherin and vimentin) were analyzed by RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescence assay or western blot, respectively. Xenograft mouse models were used to analyze the role of the FOXO3a in breast cancer. RESULTS: FOXO3a was down-regulated and TWIST-1 was up-regulated in breast cancer tissues. Overexpression of FOXO3a or knockdown of TWIST-1 suppressed the proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer cells. Overexpression of TWIST-1 could reverse the effect of FOXO3a on the proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer. Moreover, FOXO3a suppressed the growth and metastasis of breast cancer by targeting TWIST1 in vivo. CONCLUSION: FOXO3a inhibited the EMT and metastasis of breast cancer via TWIST-1/miR-10b/CADM2 axis.