Polystyrene Nanoparticles-coated Astragalus Polysaccharides Affects the Development of Prostate Cancer by Regulating Glycolysis of DAP12/SYK Axis Through miR-370

Background This study aims to explore the use of polystyrene nanoparticles as a carrier to encapsulate astragalus polysaccharides and regulate the glycolytic pathway of the DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa/spleen tyrosine kinase (DAP12/SYK) axis through miR-370, thereby affecting the development mechanism of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Polystyrene nanoparticles coated with astragalus polysaccharide nanoparticles (APS/PDA NPs) were prepared, and PC-3 cell experiments were used for culture and further detection of miRNA and other genes, detection of glycolysis-related proteins and genes, and observation of the biology of PC-3 cells behavioral changes, exploring the mechanism of action of APS/PDA NPs. Results We successfully prepared composite materials of APS/PDA NPs, and found that APS/PDA NPs could inhibit glycolysis and induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Further experiments showed that APS/PDA NPs could increase miR-370 expression, inhibit glycolysis, and induce apoptosis. APS/PDA NPs play a strong role in inhibiting the DAP12/SYK axis, inhibiting glycolysis, and causing apoptosis. Combined with biological information and multiple experiments, it was confirmed that miR-370 targeted DAP12, and the inhibition of PCa progression by APS/PDA NPs was achieved through targeting miR-370 and negatively regulating the DAP12/SYK axis. Conclusion As a drug carrier, polystyrene nanoparticles can effectively deliver astragalus polysaccharides to prostate cancer cells, thereby increasing the local concentration of drugs and enhancing the therapeutic effect. More encouragingly, this drug carrier not only performed well in inhibiting glycolysis but also significantly upregulated the level of miR-370, which further inhibits the expression of DAP12, providing a new therapeutic idea for inhibiting the development of prostate cancer.