Long Non-Coding RNA ZEB2-AS1 Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Regulating The Axis.

OBJECTIVE

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) feature prominently in tumors. Reportedly, lncRNA zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 antisense RNA 1 (ZEB2-AS1) is aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors. The present study was aimed to explore ZEB2-AS1 functions and determine mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, expressions of , microRNA and forkhead box C1 mRNA in HCC tissues and cell lines were detected via quantitative reveres transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After establishing gain- and loss-of-functions models, cell counting kit-8, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), Transwell assays and flow cytometry analysis were conducted to examine HCC cell multiplication, migration, invasion and apoptosis, respectively. The targeted relationship between and was verified via dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Western blot was utilized for detecting FOXC1 expression in HCC cells after selectively regulating and

RESULTS

In HCC tissues and cells, expression was increased. High ZEB2-AS1 expression was related to relatively large tumor volume, increased tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and positive lymph node metastasis of the patients. overexpression facilitated HCC cell multiplication, migration, invasion and suppressed apoptosis, while knock-down caused the opposite effects. It was also confirmed that could competitively bind with to repress its expression, and indirectly up-regulate FOXC1 expression level in HCC cells.

CONCLUSION

The current study revealed that was over-expressed in HCC tissues and cells. It also upregulated , through sponging , to promote HCC progression. This provides new perspectives for elucidating the pathogenesis of HCC.