Silencing of Long Non-Coding RNA-HCG18 Inhibits the Tumorigenesis of Gastric Cancer Through Blocking PI3K/Akt Pathway

• Main Authors: Ma F, An K, Li Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-03-01
• Series: OncoTargets and Therapy
• Subjects: gastric cancer; lncrna-hcg18; pi3k/akt pathway; proliferation; migration
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/silencing-of-long-non-coding-rna-hcg18-inhibits-the-tumorigenesis-of-g-peer-reviewed-article-OTT

Fengzhen Ma,1 Kexiang An,2 Yuqin Li3 1Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou City, Shandong Province 256603, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Rizhao Central Hospital, Rizhao City, Shandong Province 276800, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Internal Medicine V, Linyi Cancer Hospital, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276001, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yuqin LiDepartment of Internal Medicine V, Linyi Cancer Hospital, No. 6, Lingyuan East Street, Lanshan District, Linyi City, Shandong Province 276001, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in the tumorigenesis of GC. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect and mechanism of lncRNA-HCG18 on GC.Methods: The expression of lncRNA-HCG18 was detected in GC tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. LncRNA-HCG18 was silenced in AGS and MGC803 cells by the transfection of lncRNA-HCG18 siRNA (si-HCG18). MTT, transwell and Annexin V-PI double staining assay were performed to assess the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of GC cells. The expression of PI3K/Akt pathway-, apoptosis-, and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blot. An activator of PI3K/Akt pathway 740 Y-P was used to activate the PI3K/Akt pathway in AGS cells. A human tumor xenograft model was established in mice to evaluate the effects of si-HCG18 in vivo.Results: LncRNA-HCG18 was overexpressed in GC tissues and cells. Up-regulation of lncRNA-HCG18 was positively correlated with the stage of tumor node metastasis and invasion depth. Silencing of lncRNA-HCG18 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced the apoptosis of GC cells. Silencing of lncRNA-HCG18 blocked the PI3K/Akt pathway. The intervention of 740Y-P reversed the anti-tumor effect of lncRNA-HCG18 on GC cells. In addition, silencing of lncRNA-HCG18 suppressed the growth of GC xenografts in mice.Conclusion: Silencing of lncRNA-HCG18 inhibited the tumorigenesis of GC through blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for GC.Keywords: gastric cancer, lncRNA-HCG18, PI3K/Akt pathway, proliferation, migration