Expression profiling of long noncoding RNAs associated with vasculogenic mimicry in osteosarcoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly malignant bone tumor common in adolescents.
• Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), formed by tumor cells, is an unfavorable prognostic factor in OS.
• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in cancer progression, but their role in OS VM is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of lncRNAs in the formation of VM in osteosarcoma.
• To identify specific lncRNAs and their associated pathways involved in OS VM.

Main Methods:

• Profiling of lncRNA and mRNA expression in aggressive (143B) versus poorly aggressive (HOS) OS cell lines.
• Construction of a lncRNA-mRNA coexpression network to identify hub genes.
• Functional assays (in vitro and in vivo) to assess the impact of lncRNA n340532 knockdown on VM and metastasis.

Main Results:

• Identified 1360 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 1353 differentially expressed mRNAs.
• lncRNA n340532 emerged as a top-ranked hub gene in the coexpression network.
• Knockdown of lncRNA n340532 significantly reduced VM formation in vitro and suppressed VM and metastasis in vivo.
• Coexpressed genes targeted pathways including transforming growth factor-β signaling and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• lncRNA n340532 plays a crucial role in facilitating VM and metastasis in osteosarcoma.
• The findings suggest n340532 may promote OS VM through pathways like TGF-β signaling and angiogenesis.
• lncRNA n340532 represents a potential therapeutic target for anti-VM strategies in osteosarcoma treatment.