Long non-coding RNA H19 promotes the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells and regulates the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the effect of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) H19 on the proliferation and invasion of lung carcinoma cells A549, and to determine its molecular targets.

METHODS

A549 cells were with either LncRNA H19 or LncRNA H19 shRNA, and the expression levels of LncRNA H19 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). We measured cell proliferation using the CCK-8 assay, cell counting assays, and colony formation assay in response to shLncRNA H19-2. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin were determined by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

The three LncRNA H19 shRNAs used in our study significantly reduced the expression levels of LncRNA H19 in A549 cells (<0.05). Moreover, LncRNA H19 shRNA 2 (shLncRNA-2) was the most potent inhibitor of LncRNA H19 expression, and was selected for further experimentation. Transfection with shLncRNA H19-2 significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells, while overexpression of LncRNA H19 had the opposite effect in these cells (<0.05). In response to shLncRNA H19-2, the expression levels of E-cadherin were notably elevated (<0.05), while the expression levels of N-cadherin and vimentin were decreased (<0.05). In contrast, overexpression of LncRNA H19 induced the expression of E-cadherin, and blocked the expression of N-cadherin, and vimentin (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that LncRNA H19 mediates the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells via upregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin, and downregulation of E-cadherin.