ABSTRACT
@# Objective: To investigate the effect of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cervical cancer HeLa cell via regulating miR-140-5p/VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A) axis. Methods: After cell culture and transfection, the cells were divided into 5 groups: NC group, miR-140-5p mimic group, miR-140-5p mimic+pcDNA-VEGFA group, si-lncRNA SBF2-AS1+pcDNA-VEGFA group and si-lncRNA SBF2-AS1+miR-140-5p mimic group. The expression level of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines was detected by qPCR. The targeted relationship between lncRNA SBF2-AS1, miR-140-5p and VEGFA was confirmed by Dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The expression levels of VEGFA and EMT-related proteins N-cadherin, Vimentin and E-cadherin in HeLa cells were detected by WB. The invasion and migration of HeLa cells were detected by Transwell. Results: lncRNA SBF2-AS1 was highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that lncRNASBF2-AS1 targetedly combined with miR-140-5p and VEGFAwas a target gene of miR-140-5p (P< 0.05). Knockdown of lncRNA SBF2-AS1 inhibited invasion and migration as well as EMT of HeLa cells. Further experiment confirmed that lncRNA SBF2-AS1 up-regulated the expression level of VEGFA via miR-140-5p, thereby promoting invasion, migration and EMT of HeLa cells. Conclusion: lncRNASBF2-AS1 promotes EMT of HeLa cells via miR-140-5p/VEGFAaxis.