Propofol Reduces Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition, Invasion and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells through the MicroRNA-195-5p/Snail Axis.

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is a life-threating malignancy worldwide. Accumulating studies suggest propofol has anti-tumor functions in addition to the anesthetic effect. This study aimed to figure out the effects of propofol treatment in GC development. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human GC SGC-7901 and NCI-N87 cells were treated with different doses of propofol. Then the invasion and migration of GC cells was measured. SGC-7901 cells following 10 μM propofol treatment were applied in the following experiments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) with differential expression in cells with or without propofol treatment were analyzed. Expression of miR-195-5p, Snail, vimentin and E-cadherin in SGC-7901 cells was measured, and then loss-of-function of miR-195-5p and gain-of-function of Snail were performed. Target relation between miR-195-5p and Snail was confirmed using luciferase assay. Xenograft tumor was induced in nude mice to identify the effect of propofol on GC in vivo. RESULTS Propofol reduced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and migration of GC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Propofol elevated miR-195-5p expression but reduced Snail expression, and it reduced vimentin but increased E-cadherin expression in SGC-7901 cells. miR-195-5p directly bound to Snail. miR-195-5p inhibition or Snail promotion reversed propofol-inhibited malignant behaviors of SGC-7901 cells. In vitro results were reproduced in in vivo experiments. CONCLUSIONS Our study found that propofol could inhibit EMT, invasion, and migration of GC cells by promoting miR-195-5p expression and suppressing Snail expression. This study may provide novel insights in GC treatment.