LncRNA UCA1 regulates cervical cancer survival and EMT occurrence by targeting miR-155.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer rate is increasing recently. LncRNA UCA1 plays a role in gynecological tumors, but its expression and mechanism in cervical cancer have not yet been elucidated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of cervical cancer patients were collected to measure LncRNA UCA1 and miR-155 level by Real-time PCR. The Luciferase report analyzed the relationship between LncRNA UCA1 and miR-155. HeLa cells were separated into NC group, UCA1 siRNA group, UCA1 siRNA + miR-155 inhibitor group followed by analysis of cell proliferation, invasion and migration and EMT-related genes E-cadherin and Vimentin expression by Real time PCR. RESULTS: UCA1 level was elevated and miR-155 was reduced in cervical cancer tissues with significant differences compared to adjacent tissues (p <0.05). UCA1 was negatively correlated with miR-155 level (p <0.05). Patients with high UCA1 level showed short survival time (p <0.05). Down-regulation of UCA1 can significantly inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It can also increase E-cadherin expression and decrease Vimentin expression (p <0.05). MiR-155 is a target miRNA of UCA1. MiR-155 inhibitor can significantly reverse UCA1 siRNA's effect (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UCA1 expression in cervical cancer is increased and related to patient survival and miR-155 expression is reduced. Lnc-RNA UCA1 regulates EMT occurrence in cervical cancer cells by targeting miR-155.