LncRNA NEAT1 regulates cervical carcinoma proliferation and invasion by targeting AKT/PI3K
Authors: S-Z Zhao
H-M Guo
L Li
S-H Yang
M-C Fan
M-T Yan
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2018)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: Cervical cancer; long non-coding RNAs; lncRNA NEAT1; tumorigenesis; development
Affiliations: Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan, PR China. .

Abstract:  Objective: Cervical cancer is a common tumor in gynecological malignancies. Recent studies showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in tumorigenesis and development. LncRNA nuclear-rich transcripts 1 (NEAT1) has been found to play a role in gynecological tumors, such as endometrial cancer. However, expression of lncRNA NEAT1 and mechanism in cervical cancer has not been elucidated. Materials and methods: The tumor tissue and adjacent tissue of cervical cancer patients were collected. HeLa cells were cultured in vitro and lncRNA NEAT1 expression was interfered with small interfere RNA (siRNA). Cell proliferation was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell invasion ability was assessed by transwell assay. LncRNA NEAT1, Cyclin D1, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) expressions were detected by Real-time PCR. Caspase 3 expression was detected by caspase 3 activity kit. Phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) levels were evaluated by Western blot. Results: Compared with the adjacent tissue, lncRNA NEAT1 expression was significantly increased in cervical cancer (p&lt;0.05). LncRNA NEAT1 level was decreased in HeLa cells transfected by siRNA, which inhibited the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells, reduced cyclin D1 and CDK4 expressions, enhanced caspase 3 activity, and declined the expressions of p-AKT, p-PI3K, and MMP2 (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: LncRNA NEAT1 siRNA transfection can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer by regulating the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway, promote cell apoptosis, and restrain cell invasion. Therefore, the lncRNA NEAT1 may be used as a molecular potential for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer through regulating AKT/PI3K signaling pathway, which would be confirmed in the following study. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Figure 5A of [Guo et al (2018)] .  The impact of lncRNA NEAT1 siRNA on HeLa cell invasion .  Compare with Fig 6 (TPC-1 section) of [Zhao et al (2016)] ,  The invasion ability of TPC-1 ... cells in each group by transwell assay after transfection (u00d7200). (A) blank group; (B) negative control (NC) group; (C) si-ANRIL group; (D) si-TGF-u03b21 group; (E) si-ANRIL + si-TGF-u03b21 group .  , 
 #1 It gets better! Figure 5A at lower left, with Figs 5 and 6 from [Zhao et al (2106)] at upper left. At right, Figs 7 and 12 from [Li et al (2015)] .  , 
 #1 Another sighting! Figure 4A from [Li et al (2017)] .  HOTAIR silencing significantly reduces the migration and invasion of MGu201163 cells. (A) MGu201163 cells were transfected with siRu2011HOTAIR or siRu2011NC for 48 h and images were taken using a light microscope. Magnification, x200. A Transwell assay was performed for 48 h .  ,