Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates E2F1 expression by competitively sponging endogenous miR-29a-3p in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Numerous recent studies indicate that the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently abnormal expressed and take critical roles in many cancers. Renal cell carcinoma is the secondary malignant tumors in the urinary system and has high mortality and morbidity. Around 80% of RCCs is clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and is characterized by high metastasis and relapse rate. However, the clinical significances of lncRNAs in ccRCC are still unknown.

Methods: The human cancer lncRNA PCR array (Yingbio) was performed to detect the differentially expressed lncRNAs in human ccRCC samples. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR), dual-luciferase assay, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay, transwell assay, CCK-8 assay, and western blot were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of lncRNAs in ccRCC cell migration and invasion.

Results: In this study, lncRNA-H19 was high expressed and negatively correlated with miR-29a-3p in ccRCC. By bioinformatics software, dual-luciferase reporter and RIP assays, we verified that miR-29a-3p was identified as a direct target of lncRNA-H19. RT-PCR and western blot demonstrated that down-regulated lncRNA-H19 could affect the expression of miR-29a-3p targeting E2F1 with competitively binding miR-29a-3p. Furthermore, transwell assays indicated that lncRNA-H19 knockdown inhibited cells migration and invasion, but this effect was attenuated by co-transfection of lncRNA-H19 siRNA and miR-29a-3p inhibitor. Over expression of E2F1 could rescue lncRNA-H19 siRNA induced suppression on cell migration and invasion in ccRCC cells.

Conclusions: These results show a possible competing endogenous RNAs regulatory network involving lncRNA-H19 regulates E2F1 expression by competitively sponging endogenous miR-29a-3p in ccRCC. This mechanism may contribute to a better understanding of ccRCC pathogenesis, and lncRNA-H19 may be further considered as a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC intervention.