Active migration and invasion by cancer cells are a prerequisite for the development of metastases. Recent studies have shown that neurotransmitters are involved in the regulation of cancer cell invasion via β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs). However, little is known regarding the effect of neurotransmitters on pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of our study was to examine the regulative effect of norepinephrine (NE), which belongs to the group of classical neurotransmitters, on the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells and the therapeutic effect of the β-blocker, propranolol, on them. The human pancreatic cancer cell lines, Miapaca-2 and Bxpc-3, were selected for this study, and in both cell lines, β1-AR and β2-AR expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells was examined using the Matrigel invasion assay. The concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF in the culture medium and in the cancer cells were examined by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. We observed that NE promoted the invasiveness of Miapaca-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and NE increased the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF. However, these effects could be inhibited by the β-blocker, propranolol. In conclusion, the development of metastases is not only genetically determined, but is also influenced by NE, which is one of the signal substances present in the tumor environment. This study also provides experimental evidence for the use of β-blockers in the chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

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