Triptolide improves Alzheimer's disease by regulating the NF‑κB signaling pathway through the lncRNA NEAT1/microRNA 361‑3p/TRAF2 axis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and is a serious social and medical problem threatening human health. The present study investigated the effect and underlying action mechanism of triptolide (Tri) on AD progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting analysis were used to determine the changes in RNA expression and levels of NF-κB signaling pathway proteins before and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. Nucleocytoplasmic separation experiments determined the intracellular localization of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1). A dual-luciferase assay was used to analyze the binding between NEAT1 and microRNA (miRNA/miR)-361 or tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and miR-361-3p and RNA pull-down was used to analyze the binding between NEAT1 and miR-361-3p. Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and ELISA were used to detect the effects of interaction between Tri and NEAT1/miR-361-3p/TRAF2 on cell viability, apoptosis and inflammatory factor levels, respectively. The results showed that LPS-mediated human microglial clone 3 cell line (HMC3) viability decreased and apoptosis and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α) increased. Tri inhibited LPS-mediated effects in a dose-dependent manner by downregulating NEAT1 expression. NEAT1 is highly expressed in the cytoplasm and reduces the transcription and translation of downstream TRAF2 by acting as a competitive endogenous RNA that adsorbs miR-361-3p. LPS-mediated HMC3 cell injury, inflammation and activation of NF-κB signaling were partially reversed in presence of Tri. The miR-361-3p mimic promoted the Tri effect and overexpression of (ov)-NEAT1 partially reversed the Tri-miR-361-3p combined effect. The effects of ov-NEAT1 were partially attenuated by small interfering (si)-TRAF2. Overall, Tri inhibited the LPS-induced decrease in viability, increase in apoptosis and inflammation and activation of NF-κB signaling in HMC3 cells. Tri regulation affected the NEAT1/miR-361-3p/TRAF2 axis. These findings suggested a potential therapeutic role for Tri in the clinical management of AD by modulating this molecular axis.

NEAT1 enhances MPP+ -induced pyroptosis in a cell model of Parkinson's disease via targeting miR-5047/YAF2 signaling

PURPOSE

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease. The aim of our study is to explore the role and the regulatory mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 in MPP⁺ -induced pyroptosis in a cell model of PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MPP⁺ -treated SH-SY5Y cells were used as an in vitro model of dopaminergic neurons for PD. Expression levels of miR-5047 and YAF2 mRNA were determined through qRT-PCR. TUNEL staining was carried out to analyze neuronal apoptosis. Luciferase activity assay was accomplished to analyze the combination of miR-5047 with NEAT1 or YAF2 3'-UTR region. Besides, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in supernatant samples were analyzed by using ELISA assay. Expression level of proteins were examined through Western blot.

RESULTS

NEAT1 and YAF2 expression were increased, while miR-5047 expression was declined in the SH-SY5Y cells treated with MPP⁺ . NEAT1 was a positively regulator to SH-SY5Y cells pyroptosis induced by MPP⁺ . In addition, YAF2 was a downstream target of miR-5047. NEAT1 promoted YAF2 expression via inhibiting miR-5047. Importantly, the promotion of NEAT1 to SH-SY5Y cells pyroptosis induced by MPP⁺ was rescued by miR-5047 mimic transfection or YAF2 downregulation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, NEAT1 was increased in MPP⁺ -induced SH-SY5Y cells, and it promoted MPP⁺ -induced pyroptosis through facilitating YAF2 expression by sponging miR-5047.

Impaired autophagy flux by lncRNA NEAT1 is critical for inflammation factors production in human periodontal ligament stem cells with nicotine treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Periodontitis is the top reason for tooth loss, and smoking significantly increases severe periodontitis risk. Defective autophagy has been reported to play a vital role in periodontitis. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between autophagy and inflammation factors production in nicotine-treated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

In this study, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and the mCherry-GFP-LC3 plasmid were used to study autophagy flux. The gene levels of inflammation factors and long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blot was performed to assess the protein levels of autophagic markers and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR).

RESULTS

We found that nicotine impaired autophagosome-lysosome fusion and lysosome functions to block autophagy flux, contributing to inflammatory factors production in nicotine-treated PDLSCs. Moreover, nicotine upregulated NEAT1 by activating α7nAChR. NEAT1 decreased autophagy flux by downregulating syntaxin 17 (STX17).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that NEAT1-decreased autophagy flux is pivotal for inflammation factors production in nicotine-treated PDLSCs.

TGF-β2-induced NEAT1 regulates lens epithelial cell proliferation, migration and EMT by the miR-26a-5p/FANCE axis

AIM

To explore the regulatory mechanism of nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) in the pathogenesis of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was executed to analyze NEAT1 and microRNA (miR)-26a-5p expression in transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2)-disposed lens epithelial cells (LECs). The proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and migration of TGF-β2-disposed LECs were evaluated. The relationship between NEAT1 or fanconi anemia (FA) complementation group E (FANCE) and miR-26a-5p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

TGF-β2 induced NEAT1 expression in LECs. NEAT1 inhibition accelerated apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, decreased proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration of TGF-β2-disposed LECs. NEAT1 sponged miR-26a-5p to further regulate FANCE expression. Rescue experiments presented that miR-26a-5p downregulation overturned NEAT1 silencing-mediated impacts on TGF-β2-disposed LEC biological behaviors. Additionally, FANCE overexpression reversed miR-26a-5p mimic-mediated impacts on TGF-β2-disposed LEC biological behaviors.

CONCLUSION

TGF-β2-induced NEAT1 facilitates LEC proliferation, migration, and EMT by upregulating FANCE via sequestering miR-26a-5p.

Cytoplasmic NEAT1 Suppresses AML Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Leukemogenesis through Inactivation of Wnt Signaling

As an essential component of paraspeckles, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) localizes in the nucleus, promoting progression of various malignant solid tumors. Herein, an adverse effect of NEAT1 is reported, showing that the short isoform, NEAT1_1 suppresses acute myeloid leukemia (AML) development. NEAT1_1 is downregulated in leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and its decreased expression correlates with recurrence in AML patients. It is demonstrated that NEAT1_1 suppresses leukemogenesis and LSC function but is dispensable for normal hematopoiesis. Mechanistically, NEAT1_1 is released from the nucleus into the cytoplasm of AML cells, regulated by transcription factor C/EBPβ and nuclear protein NAP1L1. Cytoplasmic NEAT1_1 interacts with Wnt component DVL2 and E3 ubiquitin ligase Trim56, facilitates Trim56-mediated DVL2 degradation, and thus suppresses Wnt signaling. Collectively, the findings show NEAT1_1 is translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and acts as a tumor suppressor in AML.

NEAT1/miR-146a-3p/TrkB/ShcB axis regulates the development and function of chondrocyte

The current study aimed to explored the regulatory effect of Tropomyosin-related kinases B (TrkB) in the development and function of chondrocyte. Correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and osteoarthritis (OA) were analyzed. The expressions of TrkA, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), TrkB, Src homolog and collagen homolog B (ShcB), and ShcC in OA cartilage tissue and IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes from normal cartilage were determined by Western blot/qRT-PCR. After manipulating the expressions of TrkA, shTrkB, ShcB, miR-146a-3p and nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), the differentiation-related molecules, and apoptosis-related molecules were examined by Western blot/qRT-PCR, and migration, invasion, proliferation, tube formation, and apoptosis rate in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocyte were examined by scratch, Transwell, colony formation, and tube formation, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase and Spearman were used to analyze the binding and correlation of target genes. The findings showed that OA was related to body mass Index (BMI). The expressions of TrkA, TrkB and ShcB and NEAT1 were up-regulated in OA and IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes, while miR-146a-3p was donwnregulated and was negatively correlated with TrkB or NEAT1. NEAT1 competed with TrkB in chondrocytes for miR-146a-3p binding. ShTrkB reversed the decrease in expressions of differentiation-related molecules, migration, invasion and proliferation, and the increase in ShcB expression and tube formation, of IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. Overexpressed ShcB reversed effect of shTrkB on the functions of IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. MiR-146a-3p inhibitor reversed effects of shTrkB on the function and apoptosis-related molecules on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes, while NEAT1 reversed role of miR-146a-3p. This paper demonstrated that NEAT1/miR-146a-3p/TrkB/ShcB axis regulates the development and function of chondrocyte.

Long non‑coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 regulates ionizing radiation‑induced pyroptosis via microRNA‑448/gasdermin E in colorectal cancer cells

Pyroptosis is mediated by gasdermins and serves a critical role in ionizing radiation (IR)-induced damage in normal tissues, but its role in cancer radiotherapy and underlying mechanisms remains unclear. Long non-coding (lnc) RNAs serve important roles in regulating the radiosensitivity of cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanistic involvement of lncRNAs in IR-induced pyroptosis in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. LncRNA, microRNA (miR)-448 and gasdermin E (GSDME) levels were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression and activation of gasdermins were measured using western blotting. The binding association between miR-448 and GSDME was assessed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pyroptosis was examined using phase-contrast microscopy, flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase release assay. IR dose-dependently induced GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in HCT116 cells. GSDME was identified as a downstream target of miR-448. LncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was upregulated in response to IR and enhanced GSDME expression by negatively regulating miR-448 expression. Notably, NEAT1 knockdown suppressed IR-induced pyroptosis, full-length GSDME expression and GSDME cleavage compared with that in irradiated cells. In addition, NEAT1 knockdown rescued the IR-induced decrease in cell viability in HCT116 cells. The findings of the present study indicated that lncRNA NEAT1 modulates IR-induced pyroptosis and viability in HCT116 cells via miR-448 by regulating the expression, but not activation of GSDME. The present study provides crucial mechanistic insight into the potential role of lncRNA NEAT1 in IR-induced pyroptosis.

Long non‑coding RNA NEAT1 regulates glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis by competitively binding to microRNA‑324‑5p and upregulating KCTD20 expression

Previous studies have demonstrated that long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve a key role in the development and progression of several types of cancer, including glioma. The lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) contributes to cancer growth through its effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and drug resistance. However, the exact regulatory mechanisms via which NEAT1 acts in glioma are unclear. In the present study, the expression levels and function of NEAT1 in glioma tissues and cell lines were examined in vitro and in vivo. By reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, NEAT1 expression was upregulated in glioma tissues compared with in adjacent normal brain tissues, and elevated NEAT1 levels were associated with poor prognosis. Cell Counting Kit‑8, colony formation, ethynyldeoxyuridine, flow cytometry and western blotting assays were performed to detect the effects of NEAT1 on cell biological behavior. Knockdown of NEAT1 in glioma cell lines was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase, decreased proliferation and elevated apoptosis in vitro, and resulted in reduced tumor growth and increased survival in a mouse xenograft model of glioma. Using bioinformatics analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation experiments and luciferase reporter assays, it was demonstrated that NEAT1 may competitively bind to microRNA (miR)‑324‑5p, thus blocking its interaction with target mRNAs. Potassium channel tetramerization protein domain containing 20 (KCTD20) was identified as a specific miR‑324‑5p target. Accordingly, the inhibition of NEAT1 resulted in the downregulation of KCTD20 through competitive binding with miR‑324‑5p, decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Concomitant NEAT1 knockdown and inhibition of miR‑324‑5p partially reversed the effects of NEAT1 knockdown on cell proliferation and apoptosis, and further regulated KCTD20 expression. Collectively, the present findings demonstrated that NEAT1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA for miR‑324‑5p, and identified the NEAT1/miR‑324‑5p/KCTD20 axis as a novel regulatory axis and a potential therapeutic target for human glioma.

Association between NEAT1 polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs play vital roles in development and progression of lung cancers. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) polymorphisms were reported to be closely related to lung cancer susceptibility. Recently, numerous studies have been performed to detect the association between NEAT1 polymorphisms and lung cancer susceptibility. However, their results were inconsistent and controversial. So, we carried out a meta-analysis aiming to define the association exactly.

METHODS

Appropriate studies were retrieved from searching Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases, updated January 31, 2021. The pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the strength of the association between NEAT1 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. All of the data were analyzed with Stata 16.0.

RESULTS

The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis will summarize the relationship between NEAT1 polymorphism and lung cancer.

LncRNA NEAT1 Promotes the Progression of Gastric Cancer Through Modifying the miR-1224-5p/RSF1 Signaling Axis

INTRODUCTION

The therapy of patients with advanced phase gastric cancer is still a huge threat, with extremely imperfect therapies authorized. Even if the amassed indications have validated the significance of lncRNA in gastric cancer, few understandings are stated concerning nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) practical functions and molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

In this research, the expression of NEAT1 and miR-1224-5p in gastric cancer tissues was measured by qRT-PCR analysis, and the expression of remodeling and spacing factor 1 (RSF1) was measured by IHC assay. Then, the bioinformatics prediction software ENCORI was applied to envisage the assumed binding sites. The monitoring roles of NEAT1 or miR-1224-5p on the cell proliferation and migration capacity were verified by CCK-8, wound healing and transwell assay, correspondingly. The interactions among NEAT1, miR-1224-5p and RSF1 were investigated via luciferase analysis.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed high expression levels of NEAT1, RSF1 and a decreased expression level of miR-1224-5p in gastric cancer. Upregulation of NEAT1 or knockdown of miR-1224-5p elevated gastric cancer cell proliferation, and migration. Bioinformatics and luciferase analyses simplified that NEAT1 directly cooperated with miR-1224-5p to weaken miR-1224-5p binding to the RSF1 3'-UTR region. Likewise, the mechanical inquiries ratified that initiation of the miR-1224-5p/RSF1 regulatory loop by miR-1224-5p knockdown or overexpressed RSF1 validated the functions of NEAT1 in endorsing gastric cancer cell malignancy.

DISCUSSION

Our research initially validated that NEAT1 may regulate the expression of RSF1 competitive sponge to miR-1224-5p, contributed to the supervision of gastric cancer evolution, which exposed new brightness for diagnosis and therapy of gastric cancer.

Downregulation of Long Non-coding RNA Nuclear Paraspeckle Assembly Transcript 1 Inhibits MEG-01 Differentiation and Platelet-Like Particles Activity

Platelets are derived from megakaryocytes and play an important role in blood coagulation. By using high throughput sequencing, we have found that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is abundant in platelets (GEO ID: 200097348). However, little is known about its role in regulating megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet activity. This study aims to clarify the effect of NEAT1 on MEG-01 differentiation and platelet-like particle (PLP) activity. NEAT1 in MEG-01 cells was knocked down by siRNA transfection. The adhesion of MEG-01 and PLP to collagen-coated coverslips was observed under a fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis, cell cycle, the levels of D41/CD42b on MEG-01 cells and CD62P on PLPs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect NEAT1 and IL-8 expression levels. Western blot was used to measure the protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and IL-8. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction of NEAT1 and splicing factor proline/glutamine-rich (SFPQ). Results showed that NEAT1 knockdown decreased the adhesion ability of thrombin-stimulated MEG-01 and PLP. The expression of CD62P on PLPs and CD41/CD42b on MEG-01 cells was inhibited by NEAT1 knockdown. In addition, NEAT1 knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis with increased Bcl2/Bax ratio and decreased cleaved caspase-3, and reduced the percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, NEAT1 knockdown inhibited the expression of IL-8. A strong interaction of NEAT1 and SFPQ, a transcriptional repressor of IL-8, was identified. NEAT1 knockdown reduced the interaction between SFPQ and NEAT1.The results suggest that lncRNA NEAT1 knockdown decreases MEG-01 differentiation, PLP activity, and IL-8 level. The results also indicate that the regulation of NEAT1 on IL-8 may be realized via a direct interaction between NEAT1 and SFPQ.

Long Non-coding RNA NEAT1: A Novel Target for Diagnosis and Therapy in Human Tumors

The nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1, a long non-coding RNA) is frequently overexpressed in human tumors, and higher NEAT1 expression is correlated with worse survival in cancer patients. NEAT1 drives tumor initiation and progression by modulating the expression of genes involved in the regulation of tumor cell growth, migration, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stem cell-like phenotype, chemoresistance and radioresistance, indicating the potential for NEAT1 to be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Mechanistically, NEAT1 functions as a scaffold RNA molecule by interacting with EZH2 (a subunit of the polycomb repressive complex) to influence the expression of downstream effectors of EZH2, it also acts as a microRNA (miRNA) sponge to suppress the interactions between miRNAs and target mRNAs, and affects the expression of miR-129 by promoting the DNA methylation of the miR-129 promoter region. Knockdown of NEAT1 via small interfering RNA or short hairpin RNA inhibits the malignant behavior of tumor cells. In this review, we highlight the latest insights into the expression pattern, biological roles and mechanisms underlying the function and regulation of NEAT1 in tumors, and especially focus on its clinical implication as a new diagnostic biomarker and an attractive therapeutic target for cancers.

LncRNA NEAT1/let-7a-5p axis regulates the cisplatin resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting Rsf-1 and modulating the Ras-MAPK pathway

The long non-coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was reported to be upregulated and be involved in oncogenic growth and drug resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the exact roles of NEAT1 and its underlying mechanisms in the drug resistance of NPC remain largely unclear. In this study, the expressions of NEAT1, let-72-5p and Rsf-1 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The effects of NEAT1 and let-72-5p on cell proliferation and cisplatin resistance of NPC cells were investigated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein levels of Rsf-1, Ras, p-Raf1, Raf1, p-MEK1, MEK1, p-ERK1/2 and ERK1/2. Xenograft tumor assay was done to elucidate the role of NEAT1 involved in NPC tumor growth in vivo. We found that NEAT1 was upregulated and let-7a-5p was downregulated in NPC tissues, as well as NPC cell lines. Inhibition of NEAT1 markedly repressed the cisplatin resistance of NPC cells. NEAT1 was demonstrated to interact with let-7a-5p. Besides, a negative correlation between NEAT1 and let-7a-5p expression was observed in NPC tissues. Rsf-1 was confirmed as a target of let-7a-5p. NEAT1 remarkably reversed the inhibitory effect of let-7q-5p on the cisplatin resistance of NPC cells in vitro. Additionally, NEAT1 knockdown inhibited the Ras-MAPK pathway in NPC cells. NEAT1 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in the presence of cisplatin in vivo. Overall, these findings suggest that NEAT1/let-7a-5p axis regulates the cisplatin resistance in NPC by targeting Rsf-1 and modulating the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway.

Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 promotes the metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatoblastoma cells by inhibiting miR-129-5p

The abnormal expression of nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) may serve critical functions for the development and progression of various types of human tumor. However, the expression and biological function of NEAT1 in hepatoblastoma (HB) and the underlying mechanisms for the function of NEAT1 in HB remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, the results of reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expression of NEAT1 was significantly elevated in HB tissues. HB tissues with metastasis also exhibited significantly increased levels of NEAT1 compared with tissues without metastasis. The biological functions of NEAT1 were then assessed using gain-/loss-of-function studies. The results of in vitro assays revealed that inhibiting NEAT1 expression reduced the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells. By contrast, the induced expression of NEAT1 exhibited the opposite effect. The present study also demonstrated that the inhibition of NEAT1 expression prevented the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HepG2 cells, whereas forced expression of NEAT1 exhibited the opposite effect. In addition, it was confirmed that NEAT1 could modulate the expression of microRNA (miR)-129-5p in HepG2 cells, and that NEAT1 may exert its effect on the metastatic behaviors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HepG2 cells by inhibiting miR-129-5p. In conclusion, the present study indicated that NEAT1 expression was aberrantly increased in HB and that it may promote the metastasis of HB cells by inhibiting miR-129-5p. Targeting NEAT1 may potentially be a novel therapeutic option for treating patients with HB.

Overexpression of lncRNA NEAT1 mitigates multidrug resistance by inhibiting ABCG2 in leukemia

Leukemia is a heterogeneous clonal disorder in which early hematopoietic cells fail to differentiate and do not undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis. Less than one-third of adult patients with leukemia are managed using current therapies due to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), emphasizing the need for newer and more robust approaches. Recent reports have suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to selective gene expression and, hence, could be manipulated effectively to halt the progression of cancer. However, little is known regarding the role of lncRNA in leukemia. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is a nuclear-restricted lncRNA involved in the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. Deregulated expression of NEAT1 has been reported in a number of human malignancies, including leukemia and other solid tumors. The present study aimed to characterize the role of NEAT1 in the regulation of MDR in leukemia. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, it was demonstrated that NEAT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were significantly downregulated in leukemia patient samples compared with those from healthy donors. Furthermore, NEAT1 mRNA expression was repressed in a number of leukemia cell lines, including K562, THP-1, HL-60 and Jurkat cells, compared with peripheral white blood control cells, consistent with the expression observed in patients with leukemia. In addition, the transfection of a NEAT1 overexpression plasmid into K562 and THP-1 leukemia cell lines alleviated MDR induced by cytotoxic agents, such as Alisertib and Bortezomib, through inhibition of ATP-binding cassette G2. Although more robust studies are warranted, the current findings provide the basis for the use of NEAT1 as a novel promising target in the treatment of leukemia.