Effects of lncRNA-HEIH on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of long non-coding ribonucleic acid HEIH (lncRNA-HEIH) in gastric cancer (GC) tissues, and to investigate its effects on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of HGC-27 cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 tissue samples were collected from patients diagnosed with GC in Shenzhen People's Hospital. Meanwhile, para-carcinoma tissues were enrolled as normal controls (Control group). Total RNA was extracted from tissues, and the expression of lncRNA-HEIH was detected via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). HGC-27 cells were cultured and transfected with small-interfering RNA-HEIH (si-HEIH group). At 48 h after transfection, cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and transwell assay, respectively. RESULTS: (1) Compared with Control group, the expression of lncRNA-HEIH rose significantly in GC tissues (p<0.01). (2) The expression of lncRNA-HEIH in HGC-27 cells was significantly down-regulated in si-HEIH group compared with si-NC group (p<0.01). (3) Compared with those in si-NC group, the proliferation of HGC-27 cells was suppressed (p<0.05), while the apoptosis of HGC-27 cells was promoted (p<0.01) in si-HEIH group. (4) The invasion of HGC-27 cells was remarkably inhibited in Si-HEIH group than si-NC group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA-HEIH is highly expressed in GC patients, which affects the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of GC HGC-27 cells.