Progranulin modulates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer through lncRNA H19.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the specific mechanism of action of Progranulin (PGRN) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its interaction with lncRNA H19.

METHODS

Normal and cancerous lung tissues were collected from patients with NSCLC and healthy volunteers. We assessed the expression of PGRN in both groups using immunohistochemistry, quantitative-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blotting (WB).

RESULTS

Compared to the controls, PGRN expression was noticeably higher in tumor tissues. The high expression of PGRN in patients with NSCLC was inversely correlated to the prognosis and strongly associated with the biological features and clinicopathologic data. High PGRN expression significantly improved the ability of NSCLC cells to proliferate and migrate and was positively correlated with tumor formation, based on in vitro and in vivo cellular tests. Expression of lncRNA H19 was also found to be elevated in NSCLC tissue and cells. The expression of H19 was correlated with tumor growth in vivo and in vitro, and H19 regulated PGRN by mediating the expression of miR-29b-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

H19 and PGRN can serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NSCLC.