Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most aggressive cancer type in the biliary tract, and our previous studies observed that microRNA (miR)‑135a‑5p expression was downregulated in GBC tissues. However, few studies have focused on the mechanism of action of the miR‑135a‑5p target genes in GBC. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of miR‑135a‑5p signaling in GBC. The present study found that miR‑135a‑5p expression was downregulated in GBC tissue, as detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. In addition, overexpression of miR‑135a‑5p significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of GBC‑SD cells. Using a luciferase activity assay, it was identified that angiopoietin‑2 (ANGPT2) was a potential target gene of miR‑135a‑5p in GBC. Knockdown of ANGPT2 expression significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of GBC‑SD cells. In conclusion, the present results suggested that miR‑135a‑5p affected GBC cell proliferation and invasion by targeting ANGPT2. Moreover, miR‑135a‑5p may be a potential biomarker for GBC progression and a potential target for GBC therapeutic intervention.
Keywords: angiopoietin‑2; gallbladder cancer; microRNA‑135a‑5p.