Association between long non-coding RNAs expression and pathogenesis and progression of gliomas

Effect of lncRNA ANRIL silencing on anoikis and cell cycle in human glioma via microRNA-203a

BACKGROUND

Glioma is a deadly nervous system tumor with a poor prognosis. Although there have been many efforts to overcome glioma, the molecular mechanism of its pathogenesis remains unclear.

METHODS

We used human glioma U251 cells silenced for the oncogenic lncRNA ANRIL or overexpressing the anti-oncogene miR-203a to examine the role of lncRNA ANRIL silencing on anoikis and cell cycle arrest by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the activity of caspase-3/8/9 was measured by fluorometric assay, the expression of tumor-related genes and activity of AKT signaling pathway was measured by Western blotting, real-time PCR, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay.

RESULTS

lncRNA ANRIL was positively correlated with glioma grade and negatively correlated with miR-203a. lncRNA ANRIL silencing could induce anoikis and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, while regulating the activity of caspase-3/8/9 and the AKT signaling pathway, and the expression of tumor-related genes in the U251 cell line. miR-203a mimics could partially reverse these functions.

CONCLUSION

We consider that lncRNA ANRIL is a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target for glioma, and miR-203a plays an important role in the biological function of lncRNA ANRIL in glioma.