Expression and Clinical Significance of Translation Regulatory Long Non-Coding RNA 1 (TRERNA1) in Ependymomas

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have emerged as vital molecules governing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancers. Translation regulatory RNA 1 (TRERNA1) is one such lncRNA known to enhance the transcriptional activity of the EMT-transcription factor, Snail. We have previously demonstrated differential upregulation of EMT-transcription factors and cadherin switching across various clinico-pathologic-molecular subclasses of ependymomas (EPN). With an aim to analyze the correlation between the expression of TRERNA1 in EPNs, we performed gene expression analysis for TRERNA1 on 75 Grade II/III EPNs and correlated with tumor site, C11orf95-RELA fusions, age, MIB-1 proliferative indices, and outcome wherever available. Upregulation of gene expression levels of TRERNA1 was seen in intracranial EPNs, with highest expression levels in pediatric posterior fossa EPNs. High TRERNA1 expression was found associated with higher proliferative indices (p = 0.034) and shorter progression free survival (p = 0.002). Our study, for the first time, demonstrates an association between TRERNA1 expressions and pediatric posterior fossa EPNs. Further in-vivo and in-vitro studies are required to confirm these findings and evaluate TRERNA1 as a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target in childhood PF-EPNs.