, a long-noncoding RNA, promotes malignancy in glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVES

The long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified as new crucial regulators of diverse cellular processes in glioblastoma (GBM) tissues. However, the expression pattern and biological function of lncRNAs remain largely unknown. Here, for the first time, the effects of lncRNA lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 antisense RNA 1 () on GBM progression both in vitro and in vivo are investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expression profiles of in GBM specimens were investigated by bioinformatics analyses. expression in GBM tissues was detected using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. expression was inhibited by transfecting the -specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and stable cell lines established were inhibited by transfecting si- viruses. The Cell Counting Kit-8, ethynyl deoxyuridine, and colony formation assay were used to examine proliferation function. The flow cytometry detected cell-cycle change and apoptosis. Migration effects were detected by a Transwell assay. The tumor xenografts and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate tumor growth in vivo.

RESULTS

In this study, expression was found significantly upregulated in GBM specimens compared with normal tissues. The 5-year overall survival in GBM patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas with high expression of was inferior to that with low expression. It was confirmed that expression of was higher in GBM tissues than normal ones. Knockdown of significantly inhibited the malignancy of GBM cells, including proliferation and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. The result of Western blot assays indicated that knockdown of -mediated tumor suppression in GBM cells may be via the reduction of ERK and Akt/mTOR signaling activities. Finally, the in vivo experiment also demonstrated that knockdown inhibited the growth-promoting effect of of U87 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our result indicated that lncRNA acts as an oncogene in GBM and may be a pivotal target for this disease.