The LINC01270/miR-29c-3p/LOX axis drives gastric cancer progression: Bioinformatics and experimental validation

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer-related cause of death worldwide, characterized by high recurrence and mortality rates. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) has been implicated in GC progression, although its precise role remains unclear. Based on the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis, this study aimed to identify a lncRNA-miRNA axis regulating LOX overexpression in GC. Through integrated analysis of microarray data, bioinformatics databases, and online prediction tools, we identified TUG1 and the LINC01270-miR-29c-3p axis as a novel upstream ceRNA network regulating LOX expression. These findings were validated in GC tissues and KATO III cells, where LINC01270 and LOX were significantly upregulated and inversely correlated with miR-29c-3p expression. To assess the functional relevance of this axis, we silenced LINC01270 using siRNA in KATO III cells, resulting in increased miR-29c-3p expression, decreased LOX levels, and reduced cell viability. These results suggest that LINC01270 promotes GC progression by sponging miR-29c-3p, thereby upregulating LOX, and highlight the LINC01270-miR-29c-3p-LOX axis as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in GC. Furthermore, LOX, LINC01270, and miR-29c-3p may serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in GC.