Long Noncoding RNA Enhances the Malignancy of Cervical Cancer by Functioning as a Molecular Sponge of microRNA-511-3p and Consequently Increasing FGFR2 Expression.

PURPOSE

A long noncoding RNA called ZFPM2 antisense RNA 1 () has been verified as a key modulator in multiple human cancer types. Nonetheless, the expression and functions of in cervical cancer remain poorly understood. Therefore, our purpose was to characterize the expression pattern, clinical value, and detailed roles of in cervical cancer.

METHODS

Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was carried out to measure expression in cervical cancer. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and a tumor xenograft experiment were conducted to determine the influence of on cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro and on tumor growth in vivo, respectively.

RESULTS

was found to be aberrantly upregulated in cervical cancer, and its upregulation was associated with unfavorable values of clinical parameters. A knockdown significantly reduced cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and increased apoptosis in vitro. The knockdown decelerated tumor growth of cervical cancer cells in vivo. Molecular investigation indicated that acts as a molecular sponge of microRNA-511-3p (miR-511-3p) in cervical cancer cells. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 () mRNA was validated as a direct target of miR-511-3p in cervical cancer, and its expression was positively modulated by . The effects of the knockdown on malignant characteristics of cervical cancer cells were greatly attenuated by miR-511-3p inhibition.

CONCLUSION

promotes cervical cancer progression through upregulation of miR-511-3p-FGFR2 axis output, thereby pointing to possible diagnostics and therapeutics based on the -miR-511-3p-FGFR2 pathway.