MiR-582-3p participates in the regulation of biological behaviors of A549 cells by ambient PM exposure.

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM) is one of the main environmental air pollutants that is closely related to the development of lung cancer, but the mechanisms are unclear. In this study, A549 cells were exposed to ambient PM to investigate the alterations of biological behaviors, and the possible role of miR-582-3p in the effects was further explored. The findings showed that PM exposure could significantly enhance the biological behaviors of A549 cells, and promote their epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transformation, especially at relatively low doses. Over-activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and increased expression of miR-582-3p were also found in A549 cells after PM exposure. After the knockdown of miR-582-3p in A549 cells, the effects of PM on malignant biological behavior changes, EMT, and the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were all significantly alleviated. Furthermore, the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway also inhibited the EMT process of A549 cells, which was rescued by the overexpression of miR-582-3p. Therefore, this study showed that ambient PM can upregulate the expression of miR-582-3p, consequently activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and thereby enhance EMT transformation and promote the malignant biological behaviors of A549 cells. These findings provide evidence for further research into the mechanisms by which exposure to PM in the environment promotes lung cancer.