Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University , Baoding, China .
DNA Cell Biol. 2018 May;37(5):481-490. doi: 10.1089/dna.2017.4030. Epub 2018 Mar 14.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were dysregulated in many kinds of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AK021443, as a novel lncRNA, was found to be upregulated in HCC, while its potential value and function are still unknown. The pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of AK021443 in HCC tissues and cell lines were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation ability of AK021443 on HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells was assessed by CCK8 and EdU staining assays. The role of AK021443 in HepG2 and Bel-7402 cell invasion and migration was measured by Transwell and wound healing assays. Finally, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and snail, was investigated by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The role of AK021443 in vivo was also analyzed. Hepatoma cell nucleus increased in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. AK021443 expression was increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of AK021443 significantly reduced HepG2 and Bel-7402 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, inhibition of AK021443 in HepG2 and Bel-7402 cells significantly repressed EMT ability. Knockdown of AK021443 in vivo also significantly inhibited tumor growth with decreased Ki-67 levels and EMT phenotype in tumor tissues. However, these functions could be reversed by overexpression of AK021443. AK021443 significantly controlled HepG2 and Bel-7402 cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration by repressing EMT, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for HCC diagnosis.
长链非编码 RNA（lncRNA）在多种癌症中失调，包括肝细胞癌（HCC）。AK021443 作为一种新的 lncRNA，在 HCC 中上调，但其潜在价值和功能尚不清楚。通过苏木精和伊红染色观察肝组织的病理变化。通过实时定量聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）检测 HCC 组织和细胞系中 AK021443 的表达水平。通过 CCK8 和 EdU 染色试验评估 AK021443 对 HepG2 和 Bel-7402 细胞增殖能力的影响。通过 Transwell 和划痕愈合试验测定 AK021443 在 HepG2 和 Bel-7402 细胞侵袭和迁移中的作用。最后，通过 qRT-PCR、Western blot 和免疫荧光检测上皮-间充质转化（EMT）标志物，包括 E-钙粘蛋白、N-钙粘蛋白、波形蛋白和 snail 的表达。还分析了 AK021443 在体内的作用。与正常肝组织相比，肝癌组织中肝癌细胞核增加。AK021443 在 HCC 组织和细胞系中的表达增加。AK021443 的敲低显著降低了 HepG2 和 Bel-7402 细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移。此外，抑制 HepG2 和 Bel-7402 细胞中的 AK021443 显著抑制 EMT 能力。体内敲低 AK021443 也显著抑制肿瘤生长，降低肿瘤组织中 Ki-67 水平和 EMT 表型。然而，这些功能可以通过 AK021443 的过表达逆转。AK021443 通过抑制 EMT 显著控制 HepG2 和 Bel-7402 细胞的增殖、集落形成、侵袭和迁移，这可能为 HCC 的诊断提供一个潜在的治疗靶点。
