OncoTargets and Therapy (May 2019)
Long non-coding RNA H19 promotes the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells and regulates the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin
Abstract
Shu Liao,1,* Chaxiu Yu,2,* Hucheng Liu,3,* Congkai Zhang,1 Yong Li,1 Xiaojun Zhong1 1Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China; 3Department of Osseous and Soft Tissue Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) H19 on the proliferation and invasion of lung carcinoma cells A549, and to determine its molecular targets. Methods: A549 cells were with either LncRNA H19 or LncRNA H19 shRNA, and the expression levels of LncRNA H19 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). We measured cell proliferation using the CCK-8 assay, cell counting assays, and colony formation assay in response to shLncRNA H19-2. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin were determined by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Results: The three LncRNA H19 shRNAs used in our study significantly reduced the expression levels of LncRNA H19 in A549 cells (P<0.05). Moreover, LncRNA H19 shRNA 2 (shLncRNA-2) was the most potent inhibitor of LncRNA H19 expression, and was selected for further experimentation. Transfection with shLncRNA H19-2 significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells, while overexpression of LncRNA H19 had the opposite effect in these cells (P<0.05). In response to shLncRNA H19-2, the expression levels of E-cadherin were notably elevated (P<0.05), while the expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin were decreased (P<0.05). In contrast, overexpression of LncRNA H19 induced the expression of E-cadherin, and blocked the expression of N-cadherin, and vimentin (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that LncRNA H19 mediates the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells via upregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin, and downregulation of E-cadherin. Keywords: long non-coding RNA, lung cancer, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin
