Abstract: Objective To ascertain whether proanthocyanidins inhibit cell growth and migration by increasing let-7a expression
in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1 cells. Methods The proliferation rate, cell apoptosis rate and cell migration ability of AsPC-1 cells
treated with proanthocyanidins were measured by MTT assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, and Transwell migration assay,
respectively. The expression of let-7a AsPC cells was detected by miRNA real-time RT-PCR after proanthocyanidins treatment.
The changes in the biological behaviors of AsPC-1 cells were evaluated after transfection with let-7a mimics. Results
Compared with the control group, proanthocyanidins treatment caused dose-dependent decrements of the proliferation rate
and migration ability and increased the apoptosis rate in AsPC-1 cells. AsPC-1 cells with proanthocyanidins treatment showed
increased expression of let-7a. Transfection with let-7a mimics resulted in obvious decreases in the cell growth rate and
migration ability, and proanthocyanidins treatment significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of let-7a mimics. Conclusions
Proanthocyanidins-induced cell growth and migration inhibition are partially mediated by up-regulation of let-7a expression
in AsPC-1 cells.