Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR promotes cervical cancer progression through regulating BCL2 via targeting miR-143-3p

HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) widely involved in the progression of numerous malignancies. Whereas, the potential molecular mechanism of HOTAIR involved in cervical cancer progression is still needed to be elaborated.

The expression of HOTAIR and miR-143-3p were detected in cervical cancer tissues and cells by qRT-PCR. MTT and flow cytometry analysis were performed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis. Bioinformatics, Dual-Luciferase reporter and RIP were used to analyze the possible correlation between HOTAIR, miR-143-3p and BCL2. The expression of Bax and BCL2 was detected by western blot. Mice xenograft model was established to confirm the role of HOTAIR on tumor growth in vivo.

HOTAIR expression was elevated while miR-143-3p expression was reduced in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. HOTAIR knockdown suppressed proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Moreover, HOTAIR could function as a sponge for miR-143-3p. The inhibitory effect of HOTAIR knockdown on cervical cancer cells growth was abolished following decrease of miR-143-3p expression. Furthermore, HOTAIR promoted BCL2 expression by modulating miR-143-3p. BCL2 overexpression attenuated the tumor-suppressive effect of miR-143-3p in cervical cancer. Finally, the carcinogenicity of HOTAIR was validated in mice.

HOTAIR promoted cervical cancer cell growth by modulating BCL2 via miR-143-3p, hinting a novel regulatory mechanism and potential therapeutic target in cervical cancer.