Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Code”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,513 records · Page 84

Long intergenic non-coding RNA 668 regulates VEGFA signaling through inhibition of miR-297 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to have crucial regulatory efficiency in human cancer biology. Long intergenic non-coding RNA 668 (LINC00668) was regarded as an oncogene in multiple cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of LINC00668 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been studied. In this study, we first demonstrated that LINC00668 expression was up-regulated, which was correlated with tumor progression, and miR-297 down-regulated in OSCC tissues and cells. Importantly, LINC00668 expression was negatively correlated with miR-297 expression in OSCC tissues. Loss-of-function of LINC00668 revealed that LINC00668 functioned as a ceRNA for miR-297 to facilitate VEGFA expression, promoting OSCC progression. Furthermore, LINC00668 knockdown suppressed tumor growth and reduced the expression of proliferation antigen ki-67 in vivo. Finally, we confirmed that LINC00668 promoted OSCC activity through VEGFA signaling. In conclusion, these results suggest that LINC00668 promotes OSCC tumorigenesis via miR-297/VEGFA axis, which may provide a new target for the diagnosis and therapy of OSCC disease. - Highlights: • LINC00668 is up-regulated in human primary OSCC tissues. • Expression of VEGFA is up-regulated in primary human OSCC and negatively expressed related to miR-297. • miR-297 inhibits the tumorigenic potential of OSCC cells by down-regulating oncogenic VEGFA gene. • LINC00668's oncogenic functions are partially through reverse regulation of miRNA-297, and then activation of VEGFA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Upregulated long non-coding RNA LOC90784 promotes cell proliferation and invasion and is associated with poor clinical features in HCC

A growing amount of literature has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. However, the significance of lncRNAs in the progression and prognosis of liver cancer is largely unknown. In the present study, upregulated lncRNA LOC90784 was identified through integrative analysis of (GSE58043) and (GSE55191). Furthermore, associations between LOC90784 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients were analyzed with a validated cohort 1 and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort 2. We investigated the mechanisms by which this highly expressed lncRNA promotes HCC proliferation, invasion and migration via qRT-PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining, siRNA transfection, cell proliferation assays, Transwell and colony formation assays, flow cytometry analysis and Western blot. The results showed that LOC90784 expression levels were significantly higher in HCC cell lines and tissues and mainly localized in the cytoplasm. Knockdown of lncRNA LOC90784 expression inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by promoting Bax and repressing CDK4 and Cyclin D1 protein expression; it also inhibited invasion and migration by repressing MMP2 and MMP9 expression in HCC cells. LOC90784 overexpression was associated with poor clinical features in the two cohorts and poor overall survival rates in HCC patients with clear resection margins (R0) in cohort 2. These results indicated that LOC90784 upregulation may be a critical oncogene and potential new biomarker in HCC. - Highlights: • LncRNA LOC90784 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. • Highly expressed lncRNA LOC90784 was associated with poor clinical features in HCC. • Knockdown of lncRNA LOC90784 expression inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. • Knockdown of lncRNA LOC90784 expression inhibited invasion and migration.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA-422 acts as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer

Highlights: • LncRNA-422 in CRC tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues. • The expression of lncRNA-422 was correlated with TNM stage of CRC. • LncRNA-422 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells. • LncRNA-422 acts as a tumor suppressor by PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in CRC. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent cancer in numerous of countries worldwidely. The initiation and progression of CRC is an extremely complex process, and have been suggested a correlation with Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Our results showed that lncRNA-422(ENST00000415820) significantly downregulated in the tissues and serum of CRC patients, and is closely associated with the poor prognosis. Then gain or loss of lncRNA-422 models in SW480 and SW620cells were established. The results showed that lncRNA-422 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Knockdown of lncRNA-422 promoted tumorigensis. Western blot and qRT-PCR were performed to examine the activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in CRC cells after alternation of lncRNA-422. Results showed that lncRNA-422 acts as a tumor suppressor by PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in CRC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

C/EBPβ contributes to transcriptional activation of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 during APL cell differentiation

Emerging evidences have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in cancer development and cancer therapy. LncRNA Nuclear Enriched Abundant Transcript 1 (NEAT1) is indispensable during acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell differentiation induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). However, the precise mechanism of NEAT1 upregulation has not been fully understood. In this study, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays to demonstrate that C/EBP family transcription factor C/EBPβ bind to and transactivate the promoter of lncRNA NEAT1 through the C/EBPβ binding sites both around −54 bp and −1453 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Moreover, the expression of C/EBPβ was increased after ATRA treatment, and the binding of C/EBPβ in the NEAT1 promoter was also dramatically increased. Finally, knockdown of C/EBPβ significantly reduced the ATRA-induced upregulation of NEAT1. In conclusion, C/EBPβ directly activates the expression of NEAT1 through binding to the promoter of NEAT1. Knockdown of C/EBPβ impairs ATRA-induced transcriptional activation of NEAT1. Our data indicate that C/EBPβ contributes to ATRA-induced activation of NEAT1 during APL cell differentiation. Our results enrich our knowledge on the regulation of lncRNAs and the regulatory role of C/EBPβ in APL cell differentiation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA LUCAT1 modulates methotrexate resistance in osteosarcoma via miR-200c/ABCB1 axis

Highlights: • LncRNA LUCAT1 and ABCB1 protein are both up-regulated in osteosarcoma methotrexate-resistant cells. • LncRNA LUCAT1 knockdown suppress the expression levels drug resistance related genes, proliferation, invasion and tumor growth of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and vivo. • Bioinformatics predictive tools and luciferase assay reveal the LUCAT1/miR-200c/ABCB1 pathway. • Rescue experiments confirm the combined role of LUCAT1, miR-200c and ABCB1 on osteosarcoma methotrexate resistance. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been verified to participate in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers. Nevertheless, the deepgoing role molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs on osteosarcoma chemoresistance remain unclear. In present study, we investigate the function of lncRNA LUCAT1 on osteosarcoma methotrexate (MTX) resistant phenotype and discover the potential regulatory mechanism. Results showed that LUCAT1 was up-regulated in MTX-resistant cells (MG63/MTX, HOS/MTX) compared to that in parental cells. LncRNA LUCAT1 and ABCB1 protein expression levels were both up-regulated when induced by different concentration of methotrexate. In vitro and vivo, LUCAT1 knockdown decreased the expression levels drug resistance related genes (MDR1, MRP5, LRP1), proliferation, invasion and tumor growth of osteosarcoma cells. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase assay reveled that miR-200c both targeted the 3′-UTR of LUCAT1 and ABCB1 mRNA, suggesting the modulation of LUCAT1 on ABCB1 through sponging miR-200c. Rescue experiments confirmed the combined role of LUCAT1, miR-200c and ABCB1 on osteosarcoma proliferation, invasion and methotrexate resistance. Overall, results indicate the vital role of LUCAT1 in the methotrexate resistance regulation through miR-200c/ABCB1 pathway, providing a novel insight and treatment strategy for osteosarcoma drug resistance.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA RMST silencing protects against middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced ischemic stroke

Highlights: • RMST expression is significantly up-regulated ischemic brain. • RMST silencing protects hippocampal neurons against OGD-induced stress. • RMST silencing protects against ischemic brain injury in vivo. • RMST silencing improves neurological function. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as major regulators in neurological diseases, and clarifying their roles in cerebral ischemic injury may provide novel targets for treating ischemic stroke. In this study, we mainly studied the role of lncRNA-RMST in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced mouse brain injury. We showed that RMST expression level was significantly up-regulated in oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-treated primary hippocampal neuron, MCAO-induced injured brain, and the plasma of patients with ischemic stroke. RMST silencing protected against MCAO-induced ischemic brain injury in vivo and OGD-induced primary hippocampal neuron injury in vitro. Intracerebroventricular injection of RMST shRNA significantly decreased brain RMST expression, reduced brain infarct size, and improved neurological function. Collectively, this study provides evidence that lncRNA is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury, and suggests a promising approach of RMST inhibition in treating ischemic stroke.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA PVT1-5 promotes cell proliferation by regulating miR-126/SLC7A5 axis in lung cancer

Highlights: • LncRNA-PVT1-5 is up-regulated in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. • LncRNA-PVT1-5 acted as a sponge for miR-126 to regulate cells proliferation in lung cancer cells. • LncRNA-PVT1-5 exerts its role via miR-126/SLC7A5 axis in lung cancer cell modes. Dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in the development of human cancers. The lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is reported to be an oncogene in a variety of cancers. However, the roles of PVT1-5 and its related miRNAs in lung cancer are poorly understood. In this study, we found that PVT1-5 expression was significantly increased in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. By using biotin-labeled lncRNA-PVT1-5 probe for miRNA in vivo precipitation (miRIP) in lung cancer cells and dual-luciferase reporterassays, we identified that miR-126 was associated with lncRNA-PVT1-5. Furthermore, knockdown of lncRNA-PVT1-5 in cells could down-regulate the expression of SLC7A5, the target of oncogenic miR-126, resulting in the cell proliferation. Conversely, inhibiting the expression of miR-126 markedly increased the expression of SLC7A5 and alleviated cell proliferation inhibition. Thus, our results indicated that lncRNA-PVT1-5 may function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-126 to promote cell proliferation by regulating the miR-126/SLC7A5 pathway, suggesting that lncRNA-PVT1-5 plays a crucial role in lung cancer progression and lncRNA-PVT1-5/miR-126/SLC7A5 regulatory network may shed light on tumorigenesis in lung cancer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA UCA1 desensitizes breast cancer cells to trastuzumab by impeding miR-18a repression of Yes-associated protein 1

Highlights: • Knockdown of UCA1 expression restored sensitivity of breast cancer cells to trastuzumab. • UCA1 knockdown upregulated miR-18a and downregulated YAP1 in breast cancer cells. • YAP1 is a direct target of miR-18a in breast cancer cells. • The UCA1/miR-18a/YAP1 feedback axis regulated the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to trastuzumab. Breast cancer resistance to the monoclonal erbB2/HER2 antibody trastuzumab (or herceptin) has become a significant obstacle in clinical targeted therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer. Previous research demonstrated that such drug resistance may be related to dysregulation of miRNA expression. Here, we found that knockdown of the long non-coding RNA, urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1), can promote the sensitivity of human breast cancer cells to trastuzumab. Mechanistically, UCA1 knockdown upregulated miR-18a and promoted miR-18a repression of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). A luciferase reporter assay confirmed the association of miR-18a with wild-type UCA1 but not with UCA1 mutated at the predicted miR-18a-binding site. The direct targeting of YAP1 by miR-18a was verified by the observation that miR-18a mimic suppressed luciferase expression from a construct containing the YAP1 3′ untranslated region. Meanwhile, reciprocal repression of UCA1 and miR-18a were found to be Argonaute 2-dependent. Knockdown of YAP1 recapitulated the effect of UCA1 silencing by reducing the viability of trastuzumab-treated breast cancer cells, whereas inhibition of miR-18a abrogated UCA1 knockdown-induced improvement of trastuzumab sensitivity in breast cancer cells. These findings demonstrate that the UCA1/miR-18a/YAP1 axis plays an important role in regulating the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to trastuzumab, which has implications for the development of novel approaches to improving breast cancer responses to targeted therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA THOR promotes human osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo

Highlights: • LncRNA THOR (“Lnc-THOR”) is expressed in human osteosarcoma (OS) cells and tissues. • Lnc-THOR siRNA inhibits human OS cell survival and proliferation. • Lnc-THOR over-expression promotes human OS cell survival and proliferation. • Lnc-THOR knockout inhibits U2OS cell growth in vitro and in vivo Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) dysregulation is associated with human osteosarcoma (OS) cell progression. Recent studies have characterized a novel but ultra-conserved LncRNA THOR (“Lnc-THOR”) as a cancer-specific LncRNA, mediating cell growth. In the current study, we show that Lnc-THOR is expressed in established and primary human OS cells. It is also detected in human OS tissues, but not in the surrounding normal bone tissues. siRNA-induced knockdown or CRSIPR/Cas9-mediated knockout Lnc-THOR significantly inhibited human OS cell survival and proliferation. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) target mRNAs, including IGF2, GLI1 and CD44, were downregulated in Lnc-THOR-silenced OS cells as well. Conversely, forced over-expression of Lnc-THOR enhanced IGF2BP1 target mRNA expression, promoting OS cell survival and proliferation. In vivo, xenograft tumors of Lnc-THOR-knockout U2OS cells grew significantly slower than the control U2OS tumors. Together, these results show that Lnc-THOR expression is essential for human OS cell growth. Lnc-THOR could be a novel therapeutic target and/or diagnosis marker for human OS.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-protein coding RNA DANCR functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate osteoarthritis progression via miR-577/SphK2 axis

Highlights: • DANCR was increased in OA. • DANCR inhibition suppressed OA chondrocytes proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. • DANCR-miR-577/SphK2 axis play important roles in OA. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been known to be involved in multiple diverse diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to explore the role of differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA (DANCR) in OA and identify the potential molecular mechanisms. The expression of DANCR in cartilage samples from patients with OA was detected using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The effects of DANCR on the viability of OA chondrocytes and apoptosis were explored using cell counting kit 8 assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Additionally, the interaction among DANCR, miR-577, and SphK2 was explored using dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assays. The present study found that DANCR was significantly upregulated in patients with OA. Functional assays demonstrated that DANCR inhibition suppressed the proliferation of OA chondrocytes and induced cell apoptosis. The study also showed that DANCR acted as a competitive endogenous RNA to sponge miR-577, which targeted the mRNA of SphK2 to regulate the survival of OA chondrocytes. In conclusion, the study revealed that lncRNA DANCR might promote the proliferation of OA chondrocytes and reduce apoptosis through the miR-577/SphK2 axis. Thus, lncRNA DANCR might be considered as a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA CASP5 promotes the malignant phenotypes of human glioblastoma multiforme

Highlights: • The expression of lncRNA CASP5 in GBM tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. • LncRNA CASP5 promoted the proliferation of GBM cells both in vitro and in vivo. • LncRNA CASP5 facilitated the migration and invasion of GBM cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be intensively involved in the development of various carcinomas, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, only a few of them have been well characterized. LncRNA CASP5 have been found to be up-regulated in GBM tissues compared with normal tissues in a microarray-based lncRNA profiling study. In the present study, we further explored the biological role of lncRNA CASP5 in GBM.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Effect of long non-coding RNA H19 on oxidative stress and chemotherapy resistance of CD133+ cancer stem cells via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Highlights: • The H19 expression is higher in HCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. • CD133-positive Huh7 cells account for (99.4 ± 3.6)% by flow cytometry. • Inhibition of H19 induces OS in CD133 + cancer stem cells. • Inhibition of H19 reverses chemoresistance in CD133 + cancer stem cells. • Inhibition of H19 contributes to inactivation of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. We explored the ability of a long non-coding RNA H19, to influence oxidative stress (OS) and chemotherapy resistance of CD133 + cancer stem cells via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in HCC. HCC tissues with corresponding adjacent normal tissues were collected. CD133 + HuH7 cells were sorted and assigned into five groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to determine expression levels mRNAs and proteins. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malonaldehyde (MDA), and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the H19 expression level was higher and MAPK and ERK protein levels were lower in HCC tissues. Compared with the blank group, in the pcDNA-H19 group, H19 expression level, MAPK and ERK protein levels, MDR1 and GST-π expression levels were increased, ROS and MDA levels were decreased, SOD activity was weakened, cell viability was promoted, and cell apoptosis was inhibited; in the siH19 group, H19 expression level, MAPK and ERK protein levels, MDR1 and GST-π expression levels were reduced, ROS and MDA levels were elevated, SOD activity was enhanced, cell viability was inhibited, and cell apoptosis was promoted. There was no significant difference among blank, NC and pcDNA-H19 + PD98059 groups. The study provides evidence that downregulation of H19 may induce OS and reverse chemotherapy resistance of CD133 + cancer stem cells by blocking the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in HCC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA MIAT is estrogen-responsive and promotes estrogen-induced proliferation in ER-positive breast cancer cells

Highlights: • lncRNA MIAT was over-expressed in ER-positive breast cancer tissues and cells. • Breast cancer cell MIAT expression was estrogen-dependent. • lncRNA MIAT promoted breast cancer cell growth. • lncRNA MIAT was required for breast cancer cell cycle progression. Estrogen drives the development and progression of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. However, the detailed mechanism underlying ER-driven carcinogenesis remains unclear despite extensive studies. Previously reports indicated higher expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in ER-positive breast cancer tissues than in ER-negative tissues. However, the functional relevance of MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer tumorigenesis was poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of lncRNA MIAT in ER-positive breast cancer cells. MIAT was over-expressed in ER-positive breast cancer tissues and ER-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Activating estrogen signaling by diethylstilbestrol (DES) led to a dose- and time-dependent up-regulation of MIAT in MCF-7 cells that was dependent on ERα, as evidenced by ERα silencing and pharmacological inhibition using ER antagonist ICI 182780. Silencing MIAT decreased DES-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation while overexpressing MIAT increased MCF-7 cell proliferation. Further mechanistic study identified that MIAT was critical for G1 to S phase cell cycle transition. Taken together, these results suggest that lncRNA MIAT is an estrogen-inducible lncRNA and a key regulator in ER-positive breast cancer cell growth. MIAT could serve as a potential biomarker and promising therapeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

The long non-coding RNA PCSEAT exhibits an oncogenic property in prostate cancer and functions as a competing endogenous RNA that associates with EZH2

Highlights: • PCSEAT is specifically overexpressed in prostate cancer. • PCSEAT promotes the growth and motility of prostate cancer cells. • PCSEAT regulates EZH2 by competitively ‘sponge’ miRNA-143-3p and miRNA-24-2-5p. • PCSEAT may serve as a biomarker for EZH2 inhibitors. • PCSEAT can be transmitted via exosomes and function in recipient cell. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths in males. Recent studies demonstrate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many aspects of PCa. However, their biological roles in PCa remain imperfectly understood. Here, we characterized an lncRNA, PCa specific expression and EZH2-associated transcript (PCSEAT, annotated as PRCAT38), which is specifically overexpressed in PCa. We further demonstrated that knockdown of PCSEAT results in the reduction of PCa cell growth and motility, and overexpression of PCSEAT reverses these phenotypes. Furthermore, bioactive PCSEAT is incorporated into exosomes and transmitted to adjacent cells, thus promoting cell proliferation and motility. Mechanistically, we found that PCSEAT promotes cell proliferation, at least in part by affecting miR-143-3p- and miR-24-2-5p-mediated regulation of EZH2, suggesting that PCSEAT and EZH2 competitively ‘sponge’ miR-143-3p and miR-24-2-5p. Overall, our results reveal that PCSEAT is specifically overexpressed in PCa patients and a potential oncogene in PCa cells via mediating EZH2 activity, indicating that PCSEAT may be a potential therapeutic target in PCa.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 modulates oxaliplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-7-5p/ ABCC1 axis

Highlights: • KCNQ1OT1 was significantly up-regulated in oxaliplatin-resistant HCC cells. • Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, invasion. • KCNQ1OT1 modulated oxaliplatin resistance in HCC through miR-7-5p/ ABCC1 axis. The underlying functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on chemoresistance in multiple cancers have been testified. However, the function and mechanism of lncRNAs on chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma are still confused. In this study, we concentrated on the function and mechanism of KCNQ1OT1 on oxaliplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Results showed that KCNQ1OT1 was significantly up-regulated in oxaliplatin-resistant HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Moreover, knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, invasion and reduced the expression of drug-resistant gene (MRP5, MDR1, LRP1). Additionally, bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-7-5p directly targeted the 3′-UTR of miR-7-5p and ABCC1 mRNA, indicating that KCNQ1OT1 regulated the expression of ABCC1 via endogenous sponging miR-7-5p. Conclusively, KCNQ1OT1 modulated oxaliplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through miR-7-5p/ABCC1 axis, indicating a novel approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA EPIC1 promotes human lung cancer cell growth

Highlights: • Lnc-EPIC1 expression is elevated in human lung cancer cells and tissues. • Lnc-EPIC1 siRNA inhibits lung cancer cell growth, but inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. • MYC is the primary target of Lnc-EPIC1 in lung cancer cells. • Lnc-EPIC1 overexpression promotes lung cancer cell growth. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) EPIC1 (Lnc-EPIC1) is a MYC-interacting LncRNA. In the present study, the expression and potential function of Lnc-EPIC1 in human lung cancer cells are tested. We show that Lnc-EPIC1 expression is significantly higher in established/primary human lung cancer cells than that in human lung epithelial cells. Lnc-EPIC1 is also elevated in human lung cancer tissues. Silencing of Lnc-EPIC1 by targeted siRNA significantly inhibited human lung cancer cell growth, survival and proliferation, whiling inducing G1-S cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. MYC targets, including Cyclin A1, CDC20 and CDC45, were downregulated by Lnc-EPIC1 siRNA. MYC knockout by CRISPR/Cas-9 gene-editing method mimicked actions by Lnc-EPIC1 siRNA in A549 cells. Conversely, forced overexpression of Lnc-EPIC1 by a lentiviral construct increased expression of MYC targets to promote A549 cell growth. Lnc-EPIC1 directly associated with MYC protein in the nuclei of A549 cells. Significantly MYC knockout abolished Lnc-EPIC1 silencing- or overexpression-induced actions in human lung cancer cells. Together, our results show that Lnc-EPIC1 promotes human lung cancer cell growth possibly by targeting MYC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

EMT-related long non-coding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma: A study with TCGA database

Highlights: • Integrated analysis identifies EMT-associated lncRNA in HCC. • Candidate lncRNA-associated genes are enriched in EMT-linked pathways. • LncRNA WDFY3-AS3, MIAT, and MEG3 contribute to the EMT phenotype of HCC cells. Accumulating evidence suggest that dysregulated expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a critical role in human tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the lncRNA implicated in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In this study, we performed data mining in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) data set and identified the a spectrum of differentially expressed lncRNAs implicated the EMT process of HCC, and functionally validated their roles in LM3 cells. Especially, lncRNA WDFY3-AS2-, LINC00472-, MIAT-, and MEG3-associated genes were significantly enriched in EMT-linked pathways. Loss-of-function study showed that genetic silencing of WDFY3-AS3, MIAT, and MEG3, but not LINC00472, resulted in reduced N-cadherin expression, cell migration, and cell invasion. Collectively, our results identify several lncRNAs that regulate the EMT process of HCC, which provides critical information for HCC tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Long non-coding RNA SBF2-AS1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulation of miR-140-5p-TGFBR1 pathway

Highlights: • LncRNA SBF2-AS1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. • Up-regulation of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 was associated with poor clinical features and prognosis in HCC patients. • Knockdown of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 suppressed HCC progression by regulation of miR-140-5p-TGFBR1 pathway. A growing number of studies has suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert essential roles in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the roles of lncRNA and its molecular mechanism in HCC are largely unknown. In the present study, the functions and molecular mechanisms of a novel lncRNA, SET-binding factor 2 (SBF2) antisense RNA1 (SBF2-AS1), were investigated in HCC tissues and cell lines. We found that the expression levels of SBF2-AS1 were significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues and correlated with poor prognosis. SBF2-AS1 knockdown could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells and attenuate the development of HCC tumor in vivo. Moreover, wound healing and Transwell assays revealed that down-regulation of SBF2-AS1 suppressed the migration and invasion of HCC cells by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) ability. Mechanistically, we observed that SBF2-AS1 served as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-140–5p. Subsequently, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1) was certified as a direct target of miR-140–5p and enforcing SBF2-AS1 expression elevated TGFBR1 expression in HCC. Taken together, our study suggested that SBF2-AS1 modulated TGFBR1 through sponging miR-140–5p in HCC development and progression indicating that SBF2-AS1 might be further chosen as a potential anticancer therapeutic target and a promising prognostic biomarker for HCC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗