YY1-induced Long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS activates oxidative stress and inflammation by epigenetic modification of Nrf2 pathway to promote keloid formation.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly recognized in keloid pathogenesis. This study investigates the role and mechanisms of HOXA11-AS in keloid formation.

Methods: Expression levels of HOXA11-AS and related proteins were measured in keloid tissues and fibroblasts using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and ELISA. Functional assays assessed cell proliferation, migration, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. RIP, ChIP, Co-IP, FISH, and luciferase assays were used to explore interactions among HOXA11-AS, YY1, Nrf2, EZH2, and DNMT1. An in vivo mouse xenograft model validated the findings.

Results: HOXA11-AS was upregulated in keloids. Silencing HOXA11-AS reduced fibroblast proliferation, migration, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. Its overexpression had the opposite effect, which was reversed by Nrf2 pathway inhibition. HOXA11-AS promoted the methylation of the Nrf2 promoter via DNMT1 recruitment, mediated by EZH2. YY1 enhanced HOXA11-AS transcription by binding to its promoter. The YY1/HOXA11-AS axis was confirmed in vivo.

Conclusion: YY1-induced HOXA11-AS drives keloid formation by promoting oxidative stress and inflammation through epigenetic suppression of Nrf2 signaling.