Down-regulation of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR inhibits invasion and migration of oesophageal cancer cells via up-regulation of microRNA-204.

Oesophageal cancer is a progressive tumour with high mortality. However, therapies aimed at treating oesophageal cancer remain relatively limited. Accumulating studies have highlighted long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR), microRNA-204 (miR-204) and homeobox C8 (HOXC8) in the progression of oesophageal cancer. Herein, we tried to demonstrate the function of HOTAIR, miR-204 and HOXC8 in oesophageal cancer and their relationship. Differentially expressed genes involved in oesophageal cancer were identified. The endogenous expression of HOTAIR and miR-204 in oesophageal cancer cell lines was altered to elucidate their effects and to identify the interaction among HOTAIR, miR-204 and HOXC8. We also explored the underlying regulatory mechanisms of HOTAIR and miR-204 with siRNA against HOTAIR, miR-204 mimic or miR-204 inhibitor. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were subsequently detected. Xenograft in nude mice was induced to evaluate tumourigenicity. miR-204 was down-regulated, while HOTAIR and HOXC8 were up-regulated in the oesophageal cancer tissues. HOTAIR could competitively bind to miR-204 and miR-204 could further target HOXC8. The oesophageal cancer cells treated with si-HOTAIR or miR-204 mimic exhibited decreased expression levels of HOXC8, Vimentin and MMP-9, but increased E-cadherin level. Silenced HOTAIR or elevated miR-204 inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion, along with stimulated apoptosis of oesophageal cancer cells. In summary, our results show that lncRNA HOTAIR could specifically bind to miR-204 as a competing endogenous RNA and regulate miR-204 and HOXC8. Hence, down-regulation of HOTAIR could inhibit progression of oesophageal cancer, indicating a novel target for oesophageal cancer treatment.

Wang AH ，Tan P ，Zhuang Y ，Zhang XT ，Yu ZB ，Li LN ... -  《-》

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR functions as miRNA sponge to promote the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in esophageal cancer.

Accumulating evidence indicates dysregulated expression of the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR (lncRNA-HOTAIR) may play a significant role in tumor progression. LncRNA-HOTAIR promotes several processes in esophageal cancer (EC), including cell growth, differentiation, invasion and migration. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNA-HOTAIR promotes invasion and migration EC remain unclear. LncRNA-HOTAIR and miR-148a expression were quantified in 40 paired human EC and tumor-adjacent tissues and EC cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The CCK8 assay was used to quantify cell proliferation. Transwell invasion and migration assays were performed to assess cell invasion and migration. Western blot analysis was used to quantify E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail2 expression. StarBase V2.0 was used to identify putative miRNA binding sites in lncRNA-HOTAIR; luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the function of the predicted binding sites. High lncRNA-HOTAIR expression was associated with significantly poorer overall survival in EC. In vitro analysis showed lncRNA-HOTAIR enhanced EC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promoted the EMT. Mechanistic investigations revealed lncRNA-HOTAIR promotes the EMT by acting as a miR-148a sponge to positively regulate Snail2 expression. LncRNA-HOTAIR acts as a miR-148a sponge to positively regulate Snail2 expression, enhance cell invasion and metastasis, and promote the EMT in EC. LncRNA-HOTAIR may play an important role in tumor development and progression and represent a novel therapeutic target for EC.

Xu F ，Zhang J 《-》

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR, a driver of malignancy, predicts negative prognosis and exhibits oncogenic activity in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Li X ，Wu Z ，Mei Q ，Li X ，Guo M ，Fu X ，Han W ... -  《-》

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR/microRNA-206 sponge regulates STC2 and further influences cell biological functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

It is essential to characterize underlying molecular mechanism associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify promising therapeutic targets. Herein, we explored role of homeobox transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in HNSCC to regulate stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) by sponging microRNA-206 (miR-206). HNSCC-related differentially expressed genes and regulation network amongst HOTAIR, miR-206 and STC2 were identified. Next, effect of HOTAIR on cell biological functions of HNSCC was identified after transfection of cells with HOTAIR overexpressed plasmids or siRNA against HOTAIR. PI3K/AKT signalling pathway-related gene expression was measured after miR-206 and STC2 were suppressed. Cell invasion, migration and proliferation were assessed. Finally, tumour growth was assessed to determine the effects of HOTAIR/miR-206/STC2 axis in vivo. HOTAIR specifically bound to miR-206 and miR-206 targeted STC2. Downregulated HOTAIR or upregulated miR-206 suppressed HNSCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. miR-206 inhibited PI3K/AKT signalling pathway by down-regulating STC2. Besides, silenced HOTAIR or overexpressed miR-206 repressed the tumour growth of nude mice with HNSCC. HOTAIR regulated HNSCC cell biological functions by binding to miR-206 through STC2.

Li T ，Qin Y ，Zhen Z ，Shen H ，Cong T ，Schiferle E ，Xiao S ... -  《-》

Long noncoding RNA HAGLR acts as a microRNA-143-5p sponge to regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastatic potential in esophageal cancer by regulating LAMP3.

Yang C ，Shen S ，Zheng X ，Ye K ，Sun Y ，Lu Y ，Ge H ... -  《-》