Identification of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network associated with gastric cancer via integrated bioinformatics analysis

LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer through upregulating COL1A1 as a sponge of miR-193a-5p

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common and malignant tumors in women. In this study, we aim to explore the role and mechanism of F-box and leucine rich repeat protein 19 antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1), a novel long-chain non coding RNA (lncRNA) with marked roles in a variety of tumors, in regulating the proliferation and metastasis of CC.

METHODS

The expression of FBXL19-AS1, miR-193a-5p and COL1A1 were detected by RT-PCR and western blot. Gain- and loss-of functional assays of FBXL19-AS1 and miR-193a-5p were performed in CC cell lines in vitro or in vivo. The proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CC cells were determined.

RESULTS

FBXL19-AS1 and COL1A1 were significantly up-regulated in CC tissues, while miR-193a-5p was significantly down-regulated. Overexpression of FBXL19-AS1 significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, EMT and growth of CC cells and inhibited apoptosis, while knockdown of FBXL19-AS1 had the opposite effects. On the other hand, miR-193a-5p inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of CC cells. Mechanistically, FBXL19-AS1 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and inhibited the expression of miR-193a-5p, which targeted at the 3'-UTR site of COL1A1 and negatively regulated COL1A1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

FBXL19-AS1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of CC cells by sponging miR-193a-5p and up-regulating COL1A1.

Long non-coding RNA DLGAP1-AS1 promotes the progression of gastric cancer via miR-515-5p/MARK4 axis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an essential regulator of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the study, we explored the role of lncRNA DLGAP1-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC). qRT-PCR was carried out to detect DLGAP1-AS1 expression in GC tissues and cell lines. CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, and transwell experiments were employed to detect the malignant biological behaviors of GC cells with DLGAP1-AS1 knockdown or overexpression. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase report assay were used to confirm the binding relationship between DLGAP1-AS1 and miR-515-5p. MARK4 expression was detected by western blot after DLGAP1-AS1/miR-515-5p was selectively regulated. DLGAP1-AS1 was up-regulated in GC tissues and cell lines, and its high expression was closely associated with larger tumor size, higher TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, DLGAP1-AS1 overexpression enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and miR-515-5p could reverse these effects. DLGAP1-AS1 participated in the regulation of the MARK4 signaling pathway by targeting miR-515-5p. DLGAP1-AS1 promoted GC progression through miR-515-5p/MARK4 signaling pathway.

LncRNA BLACAT1 Accelerates Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Through Up-Regulating the Activation of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway

Recently, increasing evidence has displayed that lncRNAs can exhibit crucial function in cancer progression, including lung cancer. LncRNA bladder cancer-associated transcript 1 (BLACAT1) is reported to participate in various cancers. The aim of our current study was to investigate the function of BLACAT1 in non-small cell lung cancer progression and study the functional pathway. Here, we reported BLACAT1 was significantly up-regulated in lung cancer tissues in comparison to the adjacent normal tissues, which suggested BLACAT1 might act as an oncogene in lung cancer. Then, A549 and PC9 cells were infected with BLACAT1 overexpression plasmid and shRNA. As shown, we proved up-regulation of BLACAT1 greatly induced the growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells. Reversely, knockdown of BLACAT1 reduced A549 and PC9 cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Sonic hedgehog (shh) signaling is able to exert a significant role in carcinogenesis, including lung cancer. Currently, we proved that up-regulation of BLACAT1 activated shh signaling pathway, via inducing shh, Gli-1 and Smo expression. shh pathway inhibitor GANT-61 reversed the effect of overexpression of BLACAT1 on non-small cell lung cancer. Moreover, we manifested that loss of BLACAT1 remarkably reduced the in vivo growth and metastasis of A549 cells via enhancing infiltrating CD3+ T cells. In conclusion, our research revealed a critical role of BLACAT1 in the modulation of non-small cell lung cancer via modulating shh pathway.

LncRNA NEAT1 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in TGF-β2-stimulated lens epithelial cells through regulating the miR-486-5p/SMAD4 axis

Background

Abnormal proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) are direct factors of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been shown to promote cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT, but whether it affects the progression of PCO is unclear.

Methods

The expression of NEAT1, microRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) and Drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic 4 (SMAD4) was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation of cells was measured via 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2 thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Transwell assay was employed to detect the migration and invasion of cells. The levels of EMT marker proteins, SMAD4 protein and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling pathway-related proteins were assessed by western blot (WB) analysis. Further, the relationship between miR-486-5p and NEAT1 or SMAD4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and biotin-labeled RNA pull-down assay.

Results

NEAT1 is upregulated and miR-486-5p is downregulated in the posterior capsular tissues of PCO patients and TGF-β2-induced LECs. Interference of NEAT1 reverses the promoting effect of TGF-β2 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of LECs. MiR-486-5p can be sponged by NEAT1, and its inhibitor reverses the suppression effect of NEAT1 silencing on the progression of TGF-β2-induced LECs. SMAD4 functions as a target of miR-486-5p, and its overexpression recovers the inhibition effect of miR-486-5p overexpression on the progression of TGF-β2-induced LECs. The activity of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway is regulated by the NEAT1/miR-486-5p/SMAD4 axis.

Conclusion

Our study shows that NEAT1 has a positive effect on the progression of PCO and is expected to become a new target for PCO treatment.

Activation of the LINC00242/miR-141/FOXC1 axis underpins the development of gastric cancer

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are a class of newly identified transcripts recognized as critical governors of gene expression during human carcinogenesis, whereas their tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting effects on gastric cancer (GC) are required for further investigation. In the study, we identify the expression pattern of a novel lncRNA LINC00242 in GC and its possible permissive role in the development of GC.

Methods

The study included 68 pairs of GC and adjacent normal gastric tissue samples. The viability, migration, and invasion of cultured human GC cells HGC27 were evaluated by CCK-8 and Transwell chamber assays. In vitro tube formation of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) in HGC27 cell coculture was detected. The regulatory network of LINC00242/miR-141/FOXC1 was verified using dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Subcutaneous xenografts of HGC27 cells were performed in nude mice.

Results

LINC00242 was highly expressed in GC tissues and cells and contributed to poor prognosis. LINC00242 knockdown inhibited HGC27 cell viability, migration and invasion, and tube formation of HBMVECs. LINC00242 interacted with miR-141 and positively regulated FOXC1, a target gene of miR-141. LINC00242 knockdown was partially lost in HGC27 cells upon miR-141 inhibition or FOXC1 overexpression. The tumor-promoting effect of LINC00242 on GC was demonstrated in nude mice.

Conclusion

Taken together, the present study demonstrates the oncogenic role of the LINC00242/miR-141/FOXC1 axis in GC, highlighting a theoretical basis for GC treatment.