scholarly journals Long Non-Coding RNA CCAT2 Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Inhibiting miR-200b to Upregulate the IGF2BP2/TK1 Axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodan Wu ◽  
Yihui Fan ◽  
Yupeng Liu ◽  
Biao Shen ◽  
Haimin Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Non Coding Rna

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in human cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the current study, we identified CCAT2 as a relevant lncRNA and investigated its role in the progression of ESCC. RT-qPCR was adopted to detect CCAT2 expression in collected clinical samples, ESCC cell lines, and a normal cell line. We tested the correlation between CCAT2 expression and the prognosis of ESCC. RT-qPCR or immunoblotting was adopted to detect the expression of relevant factors in ESCC tissues or cells. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were examined by colony formation assay, flow cytometry, scratch assay, and Transwell assay, respectively, while subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice was adopted to examine the role of CCAT2 in tumorigenesis of ESCC cells in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis, dual luciferase reporter assay, and RIP were conducted for the target relationship profiling. Me-RIP was adopted to detect m6A modification level of TK1 in ESCC tissues or cells. Upregulated CCAT2, IGF2BP2, and TK1 expression and inhibited miR-200b expression were observed in ESCC cells and tissues. CCAT2 bound to miR-200b and reduced its expression, leading to upregulated IGF2BP2 expression. IGF2BP2 improved TK1 mRNA stability to enhance its expression by recognizing its m6A modification. CCAT2 promoted the migration and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, and tumorigenesis in vivo by upregulating TK1 expression, while overexpression of miR-200b reversed these effects of CCAT2. Overall, this study suggests that CCAT2 competitively binds to miR-200b to alleviate its inhibitory effects on IGF2BP2 expression, resulting in elevated TK1 expression, and an ensuing promotion of the development of ESCC.

scholarly journals LncRNA JPX Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression by Targeting miR-516b-5p/VEGFA Axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi He ◽  
Bin Li ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Rong Hua ◽  
Zhigang Li
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Fish Cell

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported act as important regulators in various cancers. LncRNA JPX was identified as an oncogenic regulator in lung cancer. However, the function of lncRNA JPX in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. Methods: The effects and molecular mechanism of JPX on the progression of ESCC were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), cell proliferation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, dual luciferase, cell cycle, 5-Ethynyl-2′-Deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation, transwell, RNA pull-down, tube formation and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Results: In the present study, we found JPX was highly expressed in tissues of ESCC patients and different ESCC cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated that JPX promoted ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found JPX promoted ESCC mobility in vitro. Mechanistically, the results showed that JPX functions as a sponge of miR-516b-5p, which targets an oncogene vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in ESCC cells. Interactions between miR-516b-5p and JPX or VEGFA were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Furthermore, inhibition of JPX significantly attenuated the cell growth and mobility ability of ESCC cells in vitro. In addition, miR-516b-5p overexpression abrogated JPX enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of ESCC cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that JPX played an important role in promoting ESCC progression via the miR-516b-5p/VEGFA pathway and might serve as a promising novel therapeutic target for ESCC patients.

Circ_DLG1 facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by mediating miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating MAPK/ERK pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yixuan Yang ◽  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Zhaofeng Ning ◽  
Xiaodong Wang ◽  
Zhaoxia Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Erk Pathway

Abstract Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a high incidence and poor prognosis. The document of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is frequently associated with cancer development. This study intended to explore the functional mechanism of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.Methods: The expression of circ_DLG1, miR-338-3p and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase 9 (MAP3K9) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion were performed for functional analysis using flow cytometry, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and transwell assay, respectively. The protein levels of MAP3K9, p38, phosphor p38 (p-p38), ERK1/2, phosphor ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by western blot. Bioinformatics tool for target prediction used the online tool starBase. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the target relationship. The animal experiments were performed to ascertain the role of circ_DLG1 in vivo.Results: The expression of circ_DLG1 was elevated in ESCC tissues, plasma and cells. Circ_DLG1 knockdown inhibited cell cycle, proliferation, migration and invasion. MAP3K9 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and cells, and its overexpression rescued the effects of circ_DLG1 knockdown. MiR-338-3p was a link between circ_DLG1 and MAP3K9, and circ_DLG1 regulated the expression of MAP3K9 by targeting miR-338-3p. The MAPK/ERK pathway was involved in the circ_DLG1/miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 regulatory axis. Circ_DLG1 knockdown blocked the tumor growth in vivo by regulating miR-338-3p and MAP3K9.Conclusion: Circ_DLG1 contributed to the malignant progression of ESCC by mediating the miR-338-3p/MAP3K9 axis via activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This paper provided a novel action mode of circ_DLG1 in ESCC.

scholarly journals Exosomal lncRNA ZFAS1 regulates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis via microRNA-124/STAT3 axis

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhirong Li ◽  
Xuebo Qin ◽  
Wei Bian ◽  
Yishuai Li ◽  
Baoen Shan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Donor Cells

Abstract Background In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are of great importance in development of different types of tumors, while the function of lncRNA ZFAS1 is rarely discussed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we performed this study to explore the expression of exosomal lncRNA ZFAS1 and its molecular mechanism on ESCC progression. Methods Expression of ZFAS1 and miR-124 in ESCC tissues was detected. LncRNA ZFAS1 was silenced to detect its function in the biological functions of ESCC cells. A stable donor and recipient culture model was established. Eca109 cells transfected with overexpressed and low expressed ZFAS1 plasmid and miR-124 inhibitor labeled by Cy3 were the donor cells, and then co-cultured with recipient cells to observe the transmission of Cy3-ZFAS1 between donor cells and recipient cells. The changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration in recipient cells were detected. The in vivo experiment was conducted for verifying the in vitro results. Results LncRNA ZFAS1 was upregulated and miR-124 was down-regulated in ESCC tissues. Silencing of ZFAS1 contributed to suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor growth in vitro and induced apoptosis of ESCC cells. LncRNA ZFAS1 was considered to be a competing endogenous RNA to regulate miR-124, thereby elevating STAT3 expression. Exosomes shuttled ZFAS1 stimulated proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells and restricted their apoptosis with increased STAT3 and declined miR-124. Furthermore, in vivo experiment suggested that elevated ZFAS1-exo promoted tumor growth in nude mice. Conclusion This study highlights that exosomal ZFAS1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells and inhibits their apoptosis by upregulating STAT3 and downregulating miR-124, thereby resulting in the development of tumorigenesis of ESCC.

scholarly journals lncRNA LINC01296 Promotes Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development by Binding with SRSF1

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Yanhui Zhang ◽  
Aifang Wang ◽  
Xiaohe Zhang ◽  
Xiaoliang Wang ◽  
Jin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Clinical Samples

Objective. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck, with strong local invasiveness and cervical lymph node metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of LINC01296 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its possible mechanism. Materials and Methods. GEPAI database analysis and clinical samples were used to detect the expression of LINC01296 in head and neck cancer. In vivo experiment, MTT, clone formation assay, and transwell were used to detect the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The effect of LINC01296 on EMT was detected by western blot and qRT-PCR to measure the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypic markers. BALB/c nude mice were used to carry out in vitro treatment experiment. In terms of mechanism, the binding relationship between LINC01296 and SRSF1 was predicted and verified by the RBPDB database and RNA pull-down assay. Results. LINC01296 was highly expressed in clinical samples and cell lines of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Overexpression of LINC01296 promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and accelerated the formation of xenografts, while silencing LINC01296 inhibited tumor progression. In mechanism, LINC01296 plays a tumor-promoting role by binding to SRSF1 protein. Conclusion. LINC01296 promotes malignant lesions in oral squamous cell carcinoma by binding to SRSF1 protein, which provides important experimental data and theoretical basis for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

scholarly journals LncRNA MTX2-6 Suppresses Cell Proliferation by Acting as ceRNA of miR-574-5p to Accumulate SMAD4 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Li ◽  
Xu Han ◽  
Yan Gu ◽  
Jixiang Wu ◽  
Jianxiang Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been one of the key causes of cancer deaths worldwide. It has been found that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is related to the generation and progression of various cancers (including ESCC). However, there are still many lncRNAs related to ESCC whose functions and molecular mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we first reported that lncRNA MTX2-6 was significantly downregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. The decreased expression of MTX2-6 is closely related to larger tumor and worse prognosis of ESCC patients. Through a series of functional experiments, we detected that overexpressed MTX2-6 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Further studies showed that MTX2-6 exerts as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding miR-574-5p and elevates the expression of SMAD4 in ESCC. In summary, our results clarify the tumor suppressor roles of MTX2-6/miR-574-5p/SMAD4 axis in the progression of ESCC and provide emerging therapeutic targets for ESCC patients.

scholarly journals Circular RNA circ_0006168 enhances Taxol resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating miR-194-5p/JMJD1C axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanyong Qu ◽  
Lina Wang ◽  
Caiyan Wang ◽  
Lingxia Yu ◽  
Kaikai Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Taxol Resistance

Abstract Background Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles for cancer therapy in the clinic. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and chemoresistance. This study aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of circ_0006168 in Taxol resistance of ESCC. Methods The expression levels of circ_0006168, microRNA-194-5p (miR-194-5p) and jumonji domain containing 1C (JMJD1C) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. The half-inhibition concentration (IC50) value of Taxol was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The interaction between miR-194-5p and circ_0006168 or JMJD1C was predicted by bioinformatics analysis (Circinteractome and TargetScan) and verified by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays. The mice xenograft model was established to investigate the roles of circ_0006168 in vivo. Results Circ_0006168 and JMJD1C were upregulated and miR-194-5p was downregulated in ESCC tissues, ESCC cells, and Taxol-resistant cells. Functionally, knockdown of circ_0006168 or JMJD1C increased Taxol sensitivity of ESCC in vitro via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Moreover, circ_0006168 could directly bind to miR-194-5p and JMJD1C was verified as a direct target of miR-194-5p. Mechanically, circ_0006168 was a sponge of miR-194-5p to regulate JMJD1C expression in ESCC cells. Furthermore, JMJD1C overexpression reversed the promotive effect of circ_0006168 knockdown on Taxol sensitivity. Besides, circ_0006168 silence suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Circ_0006168 facilitated Taxol resistance in ESCC by regulating miR-194-5p/JMJD1C axis, providing a promising therapeutic target for ESCC chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Long non-coding RNA NORAD/miR-224-3p/MTDH axis contributes to CDDP resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by promoting nuclear accumulation of β-catenin

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunlong Jia ◽  
Cong Tian ◽  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
Fan Yu ◽  
Wei Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Geo Dataset

Abstract Background Cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (CDDP)-based chemotherapy regimens are the most predominant treatment strategies for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to CDDP resistance, which results in treatment failure in ESCC patients. However, the majority of lncRNAs involved in CDDP resistance in ESCC remain to be elucidated. Methods The public Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE45670 was analysed to reveal potential lncRNAs involved in CDDP resistance of ESCC. Candidate upregulated lncRNAs were detected in ESCC specimens by qRT-PCR to identify crucial lncRNAs. Non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) was selected for further study. Kaplan-Meier analysis and a COX proportional regression model were performed to analyse the potential of NORAD for predicting prognosis of ESCC patients. The role of NORAD in CDDP resistance were determined by conducting gain and loss-of-function experiments in vitro. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to determine the subcellular location of NORAD in ESCC cells. A public GEO dataset and bioinformatic algorithms were used to predict the microRNAs (miRNAs) that might be latently sponged by NORAD. qRT-PCR was conducted to verify the expression of candidate miRNAs. Luciferase reporter and Argonaute-2 (Ago2)-RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were conducted to evaluate the interaction between NORAD and candidate miRNAs. A miRNA rescue experiment was performed to authenticate the NORAD regulatory axis and its effects on CDDP resistance in ESCC cells. Western blotting was conducted to confirm the precise downstream signalling pathway of NORAD. A xenograft mouse model was established to reveal the effect of NORAD on CDDP resistance in vivo. Results The expression of NORAD was higher in CDDP-resistant ESCC tissues and cells than in CDDP-sensitive tissues and cells. NORAD expression was negatively correlated with the postoperative prognosis of ESCC patients who underwent CDDP-based chemotherapy. NORAD knockdown partially arrested CDDP resistance of ESCC cells. FISH showed that NORAD was located in the cytoplasm in ESCC cells. Furthermore, overlapping results from bioinformatic algorithms analyses and qRT-PCR showed that NORAD could sponge miR-224-3p in ESCC cells. Ago2-RIP demonstrated that NORAD and miR-224-3p occupied the same Ago2 to form an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and subsequently regulated the expression of metadherin (MTDH) in ESCC cells. The NORAD/miR-224-3p/MTDH axis promoted CDDP resistance and progression in ESCC cells by promoting nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions NORAD upregulates MTDH to promote CDDP resistance and progression in ESCC by sponging miR-224-3p. Our results highlight the potential of NORAD as a therapeutic target in ESCC patients receiving CDDP-based chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Circ-ZDHHC5 Accelerates Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression in vitro via miR-217/ZEB1 Axis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Wang ◽  
Lili Yang ◽  
Yanxin Fan ◽  
Weiwei Tang ◽  
Handong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Circular Rna ◽  
Hybridization Experiment ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion

Circular RNA (circRNA) exhibits a covalently closed circular conformation and is structurally stable. Nevertheless, the precise effects exerted by circRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains uncertain. circRNA was ascertained by a human circRNA array study and was confirmed by the quantification of reverse transcriptase polymerase reactions. A luciferase reporter, fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment was exploited to explore the interaction between circ-ZDHHC5 and miR-217. The function of circ-ZDHHC5 was determined by siRNA-mediated knockout of circ-ZDHHC5 in in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion. circ-ZDHHC5, rather than linear ZDHHC5 mRNA, rose in the tissues of patients with ESCC, plasma, and ESCC cell lines in comparison with normal controls. Knockdown of circ-ZDHHC5 inhibited tumorigenesis in ESCC cells, and the co-transfection of si-circ-ZDHHC5 and miR-217 mimics further enhanced the above effect. Noticeably, the present study showed that circ-ZDHHC5 was an miR-217 sponge that modulated the expression of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), further facilitating ESCC tumorigenesis. As revealed by this study, circ-ZDHHC5 can act as a new potential circular biomarker for detecting ESCC. It provides a novel perceptivity for the treatment of ESCC suggesting that circ-ZDHHC5 could impact on ESCC progression by sponging miR-217 with ZEB1.

scholarly journals Long non-coding RNA DIO3OS binds to microRNA-130b to restore radiosensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating PAX9

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Qi Liu ◽  
Xiang-Xiang Yang ◽  
Yue-Xin Guo ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Hao Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

Abstract Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) ranks as one of the most fatal cancers worldwide for its aggression and unsatisfactory survival rate. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA axis has been highlighted as a potency biomarker for enhancing the radiosensitivity of ESCC. Hence, we investigated the functional mechanism of the DIO3OS/miR-130b/paired box 9 (PAX9) axis in the radioresistance of ESCC cells. Methods: In cell experiments, we altered the miR-130b expression in ESCC cells using mimics or inhibitors to examine its effects on ESCC cell activities in response to 4 Gy irradiation, as well as the involvement of DIO3OS and PAX9. Tumor xenograft experiments were then conducted to observe the effect of miR-130b, DIO3OS and PAX9 on radiosensitivity of ESCC ells in vivo . Results: miR-130b was found to be highly-expressed in the ESCC. Downregulated miR-130b inhibited proliferation, invasion and resistance to apoptosis in ESCC cells. DIO3OS and PAX9 were reduced in ESCC. A notable finding revealed that miR-130b could bind to DIO3OS and PAX9 respectively. DIO3OS could upregulate PAX9 by binding to miR-130b, which ultimately promoted the radiosensitivity of ESCC in vitro and in vivo . Conclusion: Taken together, DIO3OS upregulates the expression of PAX9 by binding to miR-130b, ultimately promoting the radiosensitivity of ESCC. Keywords: DIO3OS. MicroRNA-130b. Paired box 9. Radiosensitivity. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

scholarly journals Knockdown of circRNA circ_0087378 Represses the Tumorigenesis and Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Modulating the miR-140-3p/E2F3 Axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Qiushuang Wang ◽  
Yi Gong ◽  
Qiu Hu ◽  
Haoliang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Histological Grade ◽  
Tumor Stage ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Tumorigenesis And Progression

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the function and underlying mechanisms of circ_0087378 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsWe verified higher circ_0087378 expression in ESCC tissues by performing qRT-PCR assays. We further confirmed the oncogenic roles of circ_0087378 in ESCC cells through a series of biological function assays. Then, we used an RNA pull-down assay and luciferase reporter assay to identify miR-140-3p that directly interacts with circ_0087378. Subsequent studies were performed to demonstrate that the circ_0087378/miR-140-3p/E2F3 axis promotes ESCC development.ResultsWe demonstrated that upregulated circ_0087378 expression was positively associated with tumor size, histological grade, tumor stage, the presence of metastasis, and worse survival in patients with ESCC. Our results further revealed that knockdown of circ_0087378 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells and reduced tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that circ_0087378 could directly bind to miR-miR-140-3p and relieve the suppression for target E2F3, which accelerated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Correlation analysis in ESCC specimens supported the involvement of the circ_0087378/miR-140-3p/E2F3 axis in ESCC progression.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that circ_0087378 might act as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-140-3p, which could inhibit the tumorigenesis and progression of ESCC through upregulating E2F3 expression.

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