LncRNA-ATB Promotes Lung Squamous Carcinoma Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion by Targeting microRNA-590-5p/NF90 Axis

LncRNA DGUOK-AS1 Promotes Cell Progression in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulation of miR-653-5p/SLC6A15 Axis

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays a key role in regulating cancer development. LncRNA deoxyguanosine kinase antisense RNA 1 (DGUOK-AS1) has been reported as a promoter in tumor. The work was designed to further investigate the mechanism of action of DGUOK-AS1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). DGUOK-AS1 level in LUSC cells was measured using RT-qPCR. Counting Kit-8 assays and colony forming assays were performed to evaluate LUSC cell viability and proliferation. Transwell assays were performed to detect cell migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays were used to verify the binding capacity of DGUOK-AS1 and miR-653-5p. RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to verify the relationship of DGUOK-AS1, miR-653-5p, and SLC6A15. DGUOK-AS1 was highly expressed in LUSC cells. DGUOK-AS1 knockdown suppressed LUSC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SLC6A15 was demonstrated to be targeted by miR-653-5p, and DGUOK-AS1 interacted with miR-653-5p to modulate SLC6A15 level in LUSC cells. Overexpression of SLC6A15 reversed the suppressive effects of DGUOK-AS1 knockdown on LUSC cell processes. In conclusion, DGUOK-AS1 promotes malignant behaviors of LUSC cells by upregulating SLC6A15 level through interaction with miR-653-5p.

Current understanding of functional peptides encoded by lncRNA in cancer

Dysregulated gene expression and imbalance of transcriptional regulation are typical features of cancer. RNA always plays a key role in these processes. Human transcripts contain many RNAs without long open reading frames (ORF, > 100 aa) and that are more than 200 bp in length. They are usually regarded as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) which play an important role in cancer regulation, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, translational regulation and as miRNA sponges. With the advancement of ribosome profiling and sequencing technologies, increasing research evidence revealed that some ORFs in lncRNA can also encode peptides and participate in the regulation of multiple organ tumors, which undoubtedly opens a new chapter in the field of lncRNA and oncology research. In this review, we discuss the biological function of lncRNA in tumors, the current methods to evaluate their coding potential and the role of functional small peptides encoded by lncRNA in cancers. Investigating the small peptides encoded by lncRNA and understanding the regulatory mechanisms of these functional peptides may contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer and the development of new targeted anticancer therapies.

LINC01936 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma probably by EMT signaling and immune infiltration

Purpose

To discover the biological function and potential mechanism of LINC01936 in the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

Methods

Transcriptome data of LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to analyze the differentially expressed lncRNAs in LUSC and normal tissues by R "DEseq2", "edgeR" and "limma" packages. The subcellular localization of LINC01936 was predicted by lncLocator. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by CCK-8, MTT assay and Hoechst fluorescence staining. The migration and invasion were detected by Transwell assay. The function and pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Gene Ontology (GO) terms, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The downstream targets of LINC01936 were predicted using RNA-Protein Interaction Prediction (RPISeq) program. The effect of LINC01936 on tumor immune infiltration was analyzed using Pearson Correlation Analysis using R "ggpubr" package.

Results

Based on the gene expression data of LUSC from TCGA database, 1,603, 1,702 and 529 upregulated and 536, 436 and 630 downregulated lncRNAs were obtained by DEseq2, edgeR and limma programs, respectively. For GSE88862 dataset, we acquired 341 differentially expressed lncRNAs (206 upregulated and 135 downregulated). Venn plot for the intersection of above differential expressed lncRNAs showed that there were 29 upregulated and 23 downregulated genes. LINC01936 was one of downregulated lncRNAs in LUSC tissues. The biological analysis showed that the overexpression of LINC01936 significantly reduced proliferation, migration and invasion of LUSC cells, and promoted cell apoptosis. The knockdown of LINC01936 promoted cell proliferation and metastasis. Pathway and GSVA analysis indicated that LINC01936 might participated in DNA repair, complement, cell adhesion and EMT, etc. LINC01936 was predicted to interact with TCF21, AOC3, RASL12, MEOX2 or HSPB7, which are involved in EMT and PI3K-AKT-MTOR pathway, etc. The expression of LINC01936 was also positively correlated with the infiltrating immune cells in LUSC.

Conclusions

LINC01936 is downregulated in LUSC. LINC01936 affected proliferation, migration and invasion of LUSC cells probably by EMT and immune infiltration, which might serve as a new target for the treatment of LUSC.

Identification of prognosis-related lncRNAs and cell validation in lung squamous cell carcinoma based on TCGA data

Objective

To discern long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with prognostic relevance in the context of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), we intend to predict target genes by leveraging The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. Subsequently, we aim to investigate the proliferative potential of critical lncRNAs within the LUSC milieu.

Methods

DESeq2 was employed to identify differentially expressed genes within the TCGA database. Following this, we utilized both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify lncRNAs with prognostic relevance. Noteworthy lncRNAs were selected for validation in cell lines. The intracellular localization of these lncRNAs was ascertained through nucleocytoplasmic isolation experiments. Additionally, the impact of these lncRNAs on cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration capabilities was investigated using an Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) knockdown system.

Results

Multivariate Cox regression identified a total of 12 candidate genes, consisting of seven downregulated lncRNAs (BRE-AS1, CCL15-CCL14, DNMBP-AS1, LINC00482, LOC100129034, MIR22HG, PRR26) and five upregulated lncRNAs (FAM83A-AS1, LINC00628, LINC00923, LINC01341, LOC100130691). The target genes associated with these lncRNAs exhibit significant enrichment within diverse biological pathways, including metabolic processes, cancer pathways, MAPK signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, protein binding, cellular components, cellular transformation, and other functional categories. Furthermore, nucleocytoplasmic fractionation experiments demonstrated that LINC00923 and LINC01341 are predominantly localized within the cellular nucleus. Subsequent investigations utilizing CCK-8 assays and colony formation assays revealed that the knockdown of LINC00923 and LINC01341 effectively suppressed the proliferation of H226 and H1703 cells. Additionally, transwell assays showed that knockdown of LINC00923 and LINC01341 significantly attenuated the invasive and migratory capacities of H226 and H1703 cells.

Conclusion

This study has identified 12 candidate lncRNA associated with prognostic implications, among which LINC00923 and LINC01341 exhibit potential as markers for the prediction of LUSC outcomes.

N6-Methyladenosine (m6A)-Related lncRNAs Are Potential Signatures for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Response in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Despite increasing understanding of m⁶A-related lncRNAs in lung cancer, the role of m⁶A-related lncRNAs in the prognosis and treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma is poorly understood to date. Thus, the current study aims to elucidate its role and build a model to predict the prognosis of LUSC patients.

Materials and Methods

The data of the current study were accessed from the TCGA database. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify lncRNAs correlated to m⁶A. Next, an m⁶A-related lncRNAs risk model was built using a single factor, least absolute association, selection operator, and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

The relevance between 23 m⁶A genes and 14,056 lncRNAs is shown by Pearson correlation analysis by Sankey diagram. Multivariate Cox regression analysis determined that 11 m⁶A-lncRNAs show predictive potential in prognosis, which is confirmed by the consistency index, Kaplan–Meier analysis, principal component analysis, and ROC curve. Additionally, the immune analysis showed that the enrichment of immune cells, major histocompatibility complex molecules, and immune checkpoints in the high and low-risk subgroups were markedly disparate, with the high-risk group showing a stronger immune escape ability and a worse response to immunotherapy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the risk model based on m⁶A-related lncRNAs showed great promise in predicting the prognosis and the efficacy of immunotherapy.

LncRNA LINC00649 recruits TAF15 and enhances MAPK6 expression to promote the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma via activating MAPK signaling pathway

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) represents one of the commonest types of lung cancer featured with high morbidity and poor prognosis. Many types of research have documented that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert crucial functions in the development of cancers, and LUSC is included. In our study, we aimed at unveiling the mechanism underlying long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 0649 (LINC00649) in LUSC cells. As a result, LINC00649 was discovered to be with high expression in LUSC cells. Moreover, it was confirmed through functional assays that the knockdown of LINC00649 hindered the occurrence and progression of LUSC. Results of mechanism assays validated that E2F transcription factor 7 (E2F7) was a transcription activator of LINC00649 and induced its up-regulation in LUSC cells. Furthermore, LINC00649 recruited TAF15, which is TATA-box binding protein associated factor 15 to stabilize mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MAPK6) expression and activate the transcription of MAPK6, thereby enhancing MAPK6 expression to activate the MAPK signaling pathway. Eventually, results of rescue assays suggested that overexpression of MAPK6 offset the influence of LINC00649 silencing on LUSC progression. In summary, our research determined the E2F7/LINC00649/TAF15/MAPK6/MAPK signaling pathway in regulating LUSC development, which made LINC00649 a potential biomarker for LUSC treatment.

Clinicopathological implications of lncRNAs, immunotherapy and DNA methylation in lung squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review

Objective

To explore the clinicopathological impact of lncRNAs, immunotherapy, and DNA methylation in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), emphasizing their exact roles in carcinogenesis and modes of action.

Background

LUSC is the second most prevalent form, accounting for around 30% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, molecular-targeted treatments have significantly improved overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma patients but have had little effect on LUSC therapy. As a result, there is an urgent need to discover new treatments for LUSC that are based on existing genomic methods.

Methods

In this review, we summarized and analyzed recent research on the biological activities and processes of lncRNA, immunotherapy, and DNA methylation in the formation of LUSC. The relevant studies were retrieved using a thorough search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and the university's online library, among other sources.

Conclusions

LncRNAs are the primary components of the mammalian transcriptome and are emerging as master regulators of a number of cellular processes, including the cell cycle, differentiation, apoptosis, and growth, and are implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of cancers, including LUSC. Understanding their role in LUSC in detail may help develop innovative treatment methods and tactics for LUSC. Meanwhile, immunotherapy has transformed the LUSC treatment and is now considered the new standard of care. To get a better knowledge of LUSC biology, it is critical to develop superior modeling systems. Preclinical models, particularly those that resemble human illness by preserving the tumor immune environment, are essential for studying cancer progression and evaluating novel treatment targets. DNA methylation, similarly, is a component of epigenetic alterations that regulate cellular function and contribute to cancer development. By methylating the promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes, abnormal DNA methylation silences their expression. DNA methylation indicators are critical in the early detection of lung cancer, predicting therapy efficacy, and tracking treatment resistance. As such, this review seeks to explore the clinicopathological impact of lncRNAs, immunotherapy, and DNA methylation in LUSC, emphasizing their exact roles in carcinogenesis and modes of action.

New Insights into the Importance of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Lung Cancer: Future Clinical Approaches

In mammals, a large part of the gene expression products come from the non-coding ribonucleotide sequences of the protein. These short and long sequences are within the range of tens to hundreds of nucleotides, encompassing more than 200 RNA molecules, and their function is known as the molecular structure of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). LncRNA molecules are unique nucleotides that have a substantial role in epigenetic regulation, transcription, and post-transcriptional modifications in different ways. According to the results of recent studies, lncRNAs have been shown to assume various roles, including tumor suppression or oncogenic functions in common types of cancer such as lung and breast cancer. These non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a pivotal role in activating transcription factors, managing the ribonucleoproteins, the framework for collecting co-proteins, intermittent processing regulations, chromatin status alterations, and maintaining the control within the cell. Cutting-edge technologies have been introduced to disclose several types of lncRNAs within the nucleus and the cytoplasm, which have accomplished important achievements that are applicable in medicine. Due to these efforts, various data centers have been created to facilitate and modify scientific information related to these molecules, including detection, classification, biological evolution, gene status, spatial structure, status, and location of these small molecules. In the present study, we attempt to present the impacts of these ncRNAs on lung cancer with an emphasis on their mechanisms and functions.

The molecular mechanism of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) RUNX1-IT1 promotes the proliferation and stemness of lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

This study sought to explore the role of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) RUNX1-IT1 in lung cancer proliferation and cell stemness and clarify its molecular mechanism.

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression levels of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 in lung cancer cell lines and tissues. Cell Counting Kit 8, a plate cloning experiment, a cell suspension sphere-forming assay and a Transwell assay were used to identify the effects of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 overexpression or down-expression on clone formation, cell progression, cell stemness, and invasion. Western blot was used to detect the expression of associated proteins that regulate cell invasion and stemness.

RESULTS

Low expression levels of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 were detected in the cancerous lung cells and tissues. The overexpression of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 significantly restricted the ability of cells to proliferate, produce clones, form spheres, and invade lung cancer cells, while the knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 had the opposite effect. The findings of the Western blot assessment showed that the overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 significantly affected the expression of cluster of differentiation 44, cluster of differentiation 133, sex-determining region Y-box 2, octamer-binding transcription factor 4, and Nanog, and regulated the sphere-forming ability of cells. Additionally, the overexpression or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 regulated the invasion ability of cells by affecting expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin.

CONCLUSIONS

The poor expression, overexpression, or knockdown of lncRNA RUNX1-IT1 affects the stemness and invasion ability of lung cancer cells.

LncRNA RP11-116G8.5 promotes the progression of lung squamous cell carcinoma through sponging miR-3150b-3p/miR-6870-5p to upregulate PHF12/FOXP4

BACKGROUND

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is one of the commonest malignancies worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been revealed to engage in cancer development. LncRNA RP11-116G8.5 is a new founded lncRNA that has not been clearly elucidated in LUSC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expression levels of RNAs in LUSC cells were measured through qRT-PCR. To identify the functions of RP11-116G8.5, CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and EdU assay were conducted in indicated LUSC cells. Mechanism experiments, including RNA pull down assay, Ago2-RIP assay and luciferase reporter assay were performed to demonstrate the interaction between RP11-116G8.5 and miR-3150b-3p/miR-6870-5p. Meanwhile, the interaction between miR-3150b-3p/miR-6870-5p and their downstream targets PHD finger protein 12 (PHF12), and forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) were also proven in the same methods.

RESULTS

RP11-116G8.5 was expressed at high level in LUSC cell lines. Down-regulated RP11-116G8.5 repressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but accelerated apoptosis. Furthermore, it was proven that RP11-116G8.5 could act as sponges for miR-3150b-3p and miR-6870-5p these miRNAs were found to act as cancer suppressors in LUSC cells. PHF12 and FOXP4 were verified as the target gene of miR-3150b-3p and miR-6870-5p separately. Overexpression of PHF12 and FOXP4 could reverse the repressive effect of RP11-116G8.5 knockdown on LUSC progression. Additionally, Paired Box 5 (PAX-5) was proven to be the transcription factor for RP11-116G8.5 in LUSC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA RP11-116G8.5 promotes malignant behaviors of LUSC through sponging miR-3150b-3p/miR-6870-5p to upregulate PHF12/FOXP4 expression.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA

The research data is confidential.

Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix 2 Antisense RNA 1 Negatively Regulates miR-370-3p and Promotes Hyperplasia, Migration, and Aggression of the Colon Cancer Cell Line

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect and possible machine-processing of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SRRM2-AS1 in the development and pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. LncRNA plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development. LncRNA can regulate gene transcription and translation, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by affecting gene expression pathways of various coding proteins. SRRM2-AS1 is a kind of lncRNA. Studies have confirmed that the expression of SRRM2-AS1 is increased in colon adenocarcinoma tissues of colon cancer patients and is closely related to the prognosis of patients. However, the influence and molecular mechanism of SRRM2-AS1 on the malignant biological behavior of colon cancer cells are no yet clear. SRRM2-AS1 may interact with miR-370-3p. Studies have confirmed that overexpression of miR-370-3p can inhibit the proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer cells in vitro. However, it is not yet clear whether SRRM2-AS1 can target miR-370-3p to affect the occurrence and development of tumors. In this study, RT-qPCR was employed to detect levels of SRRM2-AS1 and miRNA-370-3p in carcinoma tissues and corresponding paracarcinoma tissues from 41 patients with colon cancer. SW1116 colon cancer cells were cultured in vitro and separated into 4 groups: (1) si-NC group, (2) si-SRRM2-AS1 group, (3) si-SRRM2-AS1+anti-miRNA-NC group, and (4) si-SRRM2-AS1+anti-miRNA-370-3p group. The CCK-8 assay and colony formation experiment was employed to gauge cell proliferation. The scratch test was used to detect cell migration while the transwell assay was used to detect cell invasion. Finally, Western blot analysis was employed to detect levels of Ki67, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin proteins in colorectal cancer cells. The dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment verified that SRRM2-AS1 regulates miRNA-370-3p. The study found that compared to paracarcinoma tissue, levels of SRRM2-AS1 in colon cancer tissues was increased (P < 0.05). Compared to the si-NC group, the SW1116 cell OD value, number of colonies formed, scratch healing rate, number of invasive cells, and expression levels of Ki67 and N-cadherin protein in the si-SRRM2-AS1 group were all decreased (P < 0.05). However, E-cadherin protein levels were elevated (P < 0.05). SRRM2-AS1 negatively regulates levels of miRNA-370-3p in SW1116 cells. Compared to the si-SRRM2-AS1+anti-miRNA-NC group, SW1116 cell OD value, number of colonies formed, scratch healing rate, number of invasive cells, and Ki67 and N-cadherin protein levels were increased (P < 0.05) in the si-SRRM2-AS1+anti-miRNA-370-3p group. Conversely, E-cadherin protein levels were decreased (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that SRRM2-AS1 is predominately expressed in cancerous colon tissues. Attenuating expression of SRRM2-AS1 may curb the hyperplasia of colon carcinoma cell line SW1116 and promote cell apoptosis by regulating miRNA-370-3p expression.

eIF6 promotes the malignant progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma via the mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) has a crucial function in the maturation of 60S ribosomal subunits, and it controls the initiation of protein translation. Although emerging studies indicate that eIF6 is aberrantly expressed in various types of cancers, the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of eIF6 in the pathological progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of eIF6 in patients with HCC.

METHODS

HCC samples enrolled from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and our cohort were used to explore the role and mechanism of eIF6 in HCC. The diagnostic power of eIF6 was verified by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis and its prognostic value was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and then related biological functions of eIF6 were determined in vitro and in vivo cancer models. In addition, potential molecular mechanism of eIF6 in HCC was unveiled by the gene set enrichment analysis and western blot assay.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that eIF6 expression was markedly increased in HCC, and elevated eIF6 expression correlated with pathological progression of HCC. Besides, eIF6 served as not only a new diagnostic biomarker but also an independent risk factor for OS in HCC patients. Functional studies indicated that the deletion of eIF6 displayed tumor-suppressor activity in HCC cells. Furthermore, we found that eIF6 could activate the mTOR-related signaling pathway and regulate the expression level of its target genes, such as CCND1, CDK4, CDK6, MYC, CASP3 and CTNNBL1, and these activities promoted proliferation and invasion of HCC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study provided a novel basis for understanding the potential role of eIF6 in promoting tumor growth and invasion, and exploited a promising strategy for improving diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.

Identification of a prognostic long noncoding RNA signature in lung squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years

Background

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a form of cancer that is associated with high rates of relapse, poor responsiveness to therapy, and a relatively poor prognosis. The relationship between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression and LSCC patient prognosis remains to be established.

Methods

In the present study, we discovered that lncRNAs were differentially expressed in LSCC tumor tissues relative to normal control tissues, and we explored the prognostic relevance of these lncRNA expression patterns using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results

These multidimensional data were analyzed in order to identify lncRNA signatures that were associated with LSCC patient survival outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed prognostic capabilities for three of these lncRNAs (LINC02555, APCDD1L-DT and OTX2-AS1). A Cox regression analysis revealed this three-lncRNA signature to be significantly associated with patient survival. Further GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the predicted target genes of these three lncRNAs were also potentially involved in cancer-associated pathways.

Conclusions

Together these results thus indicate that this novel three-lncRNA signature can be used to predict LSCC patient prognosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-021-00588-2.

Crosstalk of long non-coding RNAs and EMT: Searching the missing pieces of an incomplete puzzle for lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is considered to be the first place among the cancer-related deaths worldwide and demands novel strategies in the treatment of this life-threatening disorder. The aim of this review is to explore regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION

LncRNAs can be considered as potential factors for targeting in cancer therapy, since they regulate a bunch of biological processes, e.g. cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs occurs in different cancer cells. On the other hand, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical mechanism participating in migration and metastasis of cancer cells.

METHOD

Different databases including Googlescholar, Pubmed and Sciencedirect were used for collecting articles using keywords such as "LncRNA", "EMT", and "Lung cancer".

RESULT

There are tumor-suppressing lncRNAs that can suppress EMT and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Expression of such lncRNAs undergoes down-regulation in lung cancer progression and restoring their expression is of importance in suppressing lung cancer migration. There are tumor-promoting lncRNAs triggering EMT in lung cancer and enhancing their migration.

CONCLUSION

LncRNAs are potential regulators of EMT in lung cancer, and targeting them, both pharmacologically and genetically, can be of importance in controlling migration of lung cancer cells.

Long Noncoding RNA FGD5-AS1 Knockdown Decrease Viability, Migration, and Invasion of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells by Regulating the MicroRNA-944/MACC1 Axis

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNA FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) participates in the regulation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully revealed. This study aimed to determine the regulatory mechanism of FGD5-AS1 on the viability, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells.

METHODS

QRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of FGD5-AS1, microRNA-944 (miR-944), and MACC1 in NSCLC. The correlation between FGD5-AS1 and clinicopathological features of NSCLC patients was analyzed. The viability of NSCLC cells were detected using MTT assay, and the migration and invasion were measured by transwell assay. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to demonstrate the interactions among FGD5-AS1, miR-944, and MACC1. Furthermore, exosomes were isolated from NSCLC cells and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and western blot. Then, the macrophages treated with exosomes were co-cultured with NSCLC cells to assess the effect of exosomes containing lower FGD5-AS1 level on NSCLC.

RESULTS

The expression of FGD5-AS1 and MACC1 was increased in NSCLC, but miR-944 expression was decreased. FGD5-AS1 expression had significantly correlation with TNM stage and metastasis in NSCLC patients. FGD5-AS1 knockdown decreased the viability, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Additionally, FGD5-AS1 and MACC1 were both targeted by miR-944 with the complementary binding sites at 3' UTR. In the feedback experiments, miR-944 inhibition or MACC1 overexpression reversed the reduction effect of FGD5-AS1 knockdown on the tumorigenesis of NSCLC. Moreover, silencing of FGD5-AS1 suppressed macrophages M2 polarization, and eliminated the promoting effects of exosomes mediated macrophages on NSCLC cell migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

FGD5-AS1 knockdown attenuated viability, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells by regulating the miR-944/MACC1 axis, providing a new therapeutic target for NSCLC.

LncRNA STARD13-AS blocks lung squamous carcinoma cells growth and movement by targeting miR-1248/C3A

BACKGROUND

This research aims to illustrate the effect of lncRNA StAR Related Lipid Transfer Domain Containing 13 antisense RN (STARD13-AS)/miR-1248/C3A on lung squamous carcinoma cells growth and metastasis.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was applied to detect the expression of STARD13-AS/miR-1248/C3A in lung cancer samples and establish the ceRNA network. Transfection was performed to construct over-expression or knockdown models. PCR was implemented to examine the transfection efficiency. The biological function including growth, invasion and migration of LUSC cells were estimated by CCK-8 analysis, colony formation assay and transwell assay. Luciferase assay was executed to analyze the relationship between C3A and miR-1248, as well as miR-1248 and STARD13-AS.

RESULTS

By consulting the TCGA database and GEPIA website, we found that C3A expression was significantly reduced in LUSC samples. Additionally, we also discovered that miR-1248, which was a downstream target of STARD13-AS, was presented as an upstream regulator of C3A. Moreover, STARD13-AS was under expressed in LUSC cells and has a negative effect on LUSC cells growth ability. C3A expression was co-regulated by miR-1248 and STARD13-AS. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of C3A or the promoting effect of miR-1248 on LUSC cells growth, invasion and migration abilities can be regulated by STARD13-AS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that overexpression of STARD13-AS restricted the growth and aggressiveness of LUSC cells via regulating miR-1248/C3A.

LncRNA-ATB in cancers: what do we know so far?

Cancer-related deaths did not apparently decrease in the past decades despite aggressive treatments. It's reported that cancer will become the leading cause of death worldwide in the twenty-first century. Increasing evidence has revealed that lncRNAs will emerge as promising cancer biomarkers or therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. LncRNA-ATB, a long noncoding RNA activated by TGF-β, was found to be abnormally expressed in certain cancers and participate in the development and progression of tumors. In addition, aberrant lncRNA-ATB expression was also associated with clinical characteristics of tumors. The purpose of this review is to summarize functions and underlying mechanisms of lncRNA-ATB in tumors, and discuss whether lncRNA-ATB can be a biomarker and therapeutic target in cancers.