Long non-coding ribonucleic acid W5 inhibits progression and predicts favorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence has revealed that several long non-coding ribonucleic acids(lncRNAs)are crucial in the progress of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To classify a long non-coding RNA,i.e.,lncRNA W5,and to determine the clinical significance and potential roles of lncRNA W5 in HCC.METHODS The results showed that lncRNA W5 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC cell lines and tissues.Analysis of the association between lncRNA W5 expression levels and clinicopathological features suggested that low lncRNA W5 expression was related to large tumor size(P<0.01),poor histological grade(P<0.05)and serious portal vein tumor thrombosis(P<0.05).Furthermore,Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that low expression of lncRNA W5 predicts poor overall survival(P=0.016).RESULTS Gain-of-loss function experiments,including cell counting kit8 assays,colony formation assays,and transwell assays,were performed in vitro to investigate thebiological roles of lncRNA W5.In vitro experiments showed that ectopic overexpression of lncRNA W5 suppressed HCC cell proliferation,migration and invasion;conversely,silencing of lncRNA W5 promoted cell proliferation,migration and invasion.In addition,acting as a tumor suppressor gene in HCC,lncRNA W5 inhibited the growth of HCC xenograft tumors in vivo.CONCLUSION These results showed that lncRNA W5 is down-regulated in HCC,and it may suppress HCC progression and predict poor clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.LncRNA W5 may serve as a potential HCC prognostic biomarker in addition to a therapeutic target.

Upregulation of long noncoding RNA W42 promotes tumor development by binding with DBN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a malignancy found globally.Accumulating studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)play critical roles in HCC.However,the function of lncRNA in HCC remains poorly understood.AIM To understand the effect of lncRNA W42 on HCC and dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS We measured the expression of lncRNA W42 in HCC tissues and cells(Huh7 and SMMC-7721)by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of lncRNA W42 expression.HCC cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-lncRNA W42 or shRNA-lncRNA W42.Cell functions were detected by cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8),colony formation,flow cytometry and Transwell assays.The interaction of lncRNA W42 and DBN1 was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull down assays.An HCC xenograft model was used to assess the role of lncRNA W42 on tumor growth in vivo.The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate the overall survival and recurrence-free survival after surgery in patients with HCC.RESULTS In this study,we identified a novel lncRNA(lncRNA W42),and investigated its biological functions and clinical significance in HCC.LncRNA W42 expression was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells.Overexpression of lncRNA W42 notably promoted the proliferative and invasion of HCC,and inhibited cell apoptosis.LncRNA W42 directly bound to DBN1 and activated the downstream pathway.LncRNA W42 knockdown suppressed HCC xenograft tumor growth in vivo.The clinical investigation revealed that HCC patients with high lncRNA W42 expression exhibited shorter survival times.CONCLUSION In vitro and in vivo results suggested that the novel lncRNA W42,which is upregulated in HCC,may serve as a potential candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC patients.