High level of LncRNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 predicts poor prognosis and contributes to the malignant proliferation and EMT of non-small cell lung cancer via sponging miR-490-3p from HMGB2.

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) show a low survival rate, owing to the lack of early diagnostic method and high invasiveness. Long non-coding RNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 that regulates tumor genesis and progression through multiple signals, is upregulated and involved in the growth and apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). To investigate whether MAPKAPK5-AS1 affected the malignant progression of NSCLC. The levels of MAPKAPK5-AS1, miR-490-3p and HMGB2 in lung cancer were first analyzed through StarBase website, and confirmed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. The biological functions of NSCLC cells were examined by CCK-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and flow cytometry assays. The potential binding sequences lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA were predicted by StarBase software and verified via dual luciferase reporter experiment. The effects of MAPKAPK5-AS1 on tumor growth were evaluated in a xenografted mice model. The expression of MAPKAPK5-AS1 was upregulated in tumor tissues from NSCLC patients. Patients with high expression of MAPKAPK5-AS1 had higher tumor size, advanced TNM stage, higher incidence of lymph node and distant metastasis, and shorter overall survival. Knockdown of MAPKAPK5-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, induced apoptosis and blocked epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of NSCLC cells. Mechanically, MAPKAPK5-AS1 could upregulate the HMGB2 level in NSCLC cells through competitively binding to miR-490-3p. MiR-490-3p inhibitor reversed the roles of MAPKAPK5-AS1 knockdown on tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT. Also, HMGB2 knockdown suppressed tumor cell malignant phenotypes. Furthermore, interference of MAPKAPK5-AS1 slowed NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. Knockdown of MAPKAPK5-AS1 inhibited the aggressive tumor phenotypes through miR-490-3p/HMGB2 axis in NSCLC. MAPKAPK5-AS1/miR-490-3p/HMGB2 might be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for NSCLC.

Miao J ，Gao Y ，Guan W ，Yu X ，Wang Y ，Jiang P ，Yang L ，Xu L ，You W ... -  《-》

LncRNA NNT-AS1 promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression through regulating miR-22-3p/YAP1 axis.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Studies have demonstrated that long noncoding RNA nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase-antisense RNA1 (NNT-AS1) functioned as an oncogene in most malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of NNT-AS1 in NSCLC progression. The levels of NNT-AS1, miR-22-3p and Yes-associated protein (YAP1) were detected by qRT-PCR in NSCLC tissues and cells. Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between NNT-AS1 expression and overall survival of NSCLC patients. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell assay. The protein levels of YAP1 and EMT-related proteins were detected by western blot. The molecular mechanism was predicted by starBase2.0 and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA pull-down assay. Xenograft analysis was carried out to analyze tumor growth in vivo. We found that the levels of NNT-AS1 and YAP1 were enhanced, while miR-22-3p expression was decreased in NSCLC tissues and cells. High NNT-AS1 expression was correlated with poor prognosis. NNT-AS1 knockdown impeded proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of NSCLC cells. NNT-AS1 targeted miR-22-3p, and YAP1 was a target of miR-22-3p in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, NNT-AS1 facilitated the progression of NSCLC by regulating miR-22-3p/YAP1 axis. NNT-AS1 knockdown repressed tumor growth in vivo. NNT-AS1 facilitated proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of NSCLC cells by sponging miR-22-3p and regulating YAP1 expression, which might provide a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

He W ，Zhang Y ，Xia S 《-》

Long non-coding RNA VPS9D1-AS1 enhances proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in endometrial cancer via miR-377-3p/SGK1.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a kind of gynecologic malignancy with a rising incidence rate. This study aimed to explore the role of VPS9D1 antisense RNA1 (VPS9D1-AS1) in EC. The expression of VPS9D1-AS1, microRNA (miR)-377-3p, and serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) was detected by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-Deoxyuridine (EdU) transwell, and western bolt. VPS9D1-AS1 was predicted to sponge miR-377-3p via Starbase, and verified by luciferase reporter, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down experiments. The clinical characteristics of VPS9D1-AS1, miR-377-3p, and SGK1 were analyzed. The role of VPS9D1-AS1 on EC tumorigenesis was assessed in xenografted nude mice. VPS9D1-AS1 was upregulated in EC cells and tissues. Interference of VPS9D1-AS1 inhibited growth, invasion, and EMT of EC cells. Mechanically, VPS9D1-AS1 was a molecular sponge of miR-377-3p, and overexpression of miR-377-3p reversed VPS9D1-AS1-induced EC cells proliferation, invasion, and EMT. Moreover, SGK1 was confirmed to bind with miR-377-3p. Furthermore, overexpression of SGK1 alleviated sh-VPS9D1-AS1-caused effects on EC cells. High level of VPS9D1-AS1 and SGK1, or low miR-377-3p expression predicted a poor prognosis. The expression of the three genes was correlated with lymph node metastasis, pathological stage, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, but not associated with age, ER, and PR expression. Interestingly, knockdown of VPS9D1-AS1 suppressed EC tumor growth in mice. VPS9D1-AS1 promoted cell invasion, proliferation, and EMT via modulating miR-377-3p/SGK1 axis, which provided new options for therapeutic strategies of EC.

Peng TF ，Zhou YJ ，Zhou J ，Zhou Y ，Li XC ，Ouyang Q ... -  《-》

Long non-coding RNA FAM83A antisense RNA 1 (lncRNA FAM83A-AS1) targets microRNA-141-3p to regulate lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression.

Huang H ，Yang C ，Zhang Q ，Zhuo T ，Li X ，Li N ，Zhu L ，Luo C ，Gan J ，Wu Y ... -  《-》

Long non-coding RNA KTN1-AS1 promotes progression in pancreatic cancer through regulating microRNA-23b-3p/high-mobility group box 2 axis.

Zhang ZB ，Liu N 《Aging-US》