LncRNA UCA1 regulates cervical cancer survival and EMT occurrence by targeting miR-155

Cervical cancer rate is increasing recently. LncRNA UCA1 plays a role in gynecological tumors, but its expression and mechanism in cervical cancer have not yet been elucidated.

The tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of cervical cancer patients were collected to measure LncRNA UCA1 and miR-155 level by Real-time PCR. The Luciferase report analyzed the relationship between LncRNA UCA1 and miR-155. HeLa cells were separated into NC group, UCA1 siRNA group, UCA1 siRNA + miR-155 inhibitor group followed by analysis of cell proliferation, invasion and migration and EMT-related genes E-cadherin and Vimentin expression by Real time PCR.

UCA1 level was elevated and miR-155 was reduced in cervical cancer tissues with significant differences compared to adjacent tissues (p <0.05). UCA1 was negatively correlated with miR-155 level (p <0.05). Patients with high UCA1 level showed short survival time (p <0.05). Down-regulation of UCA1 can significantly inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It can also increase E-cadherin expression and decrease Vimentin expression (p <0.05). MiR-155 is a target miRNA of UCA1. MiR-155 inhibitor can significantly reverse UCA1 siRNA's effect (p <0.05).

UCA1 expression in cervical cancer is increased and related to patient survival and miR-155 expression is reduced. Lnc-RNA UCA1 regulates EMT occurrence in cervical cancer cells by targeting miR-155.