Linc01614 Regulates the Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Chemotherapy Resistance in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting Mir-4775

Iran J Public Health. 2023 Jun;52(6):1170-1180. doi: 10.18502/ijph.v52i6.12959.

Abstract

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a widely known esophageal disease, severely affects people's health. Numerous investigations demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) performed key jobs inside a wide scope of organic cycles and stand out in malignant growth. Our study planned to investigate the roles and mechanisms of linc01614 in ESCC.

Methods: A Total of 60 ESCC tissue samples including 30 patients with cisplatin sensitivity and 30 patients with cisplatin resistance, who received DDP-based treatment, were obtained from Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai City during 2021. These tissues were frozen and saved in a -80 °C ultra-low temperature freezer. We performed CCK-8, clone formation, flow cytometry assays to determine the effect of linc01614 on ESCC progression, and explored the specific mechanism of linc01614 in ESCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and chemotherapy resistance.

Results: linc01614 expression was upregulated in ESCC tissues and cells compared with non-tumor tissues and human normal esophageal epithelial cells (Het-1A). Knockdown of linc01614 repressed cell expansion, chemotherapy opposition, and advanced cell apoptosis in ESCC. Besides, linc01614 regulated the expression of miR-4775 as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA).

Conclusion: The linc01614/miR-4775 axis played an important role in ESCC progression and drug resistance, revealing that linc01614 is a promising target in ESCC treatment.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Drug resistance; Linc01614.