Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.01.19.427233

Silencing of lncRNA NEAT1 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration, and invasion via regulation of the miR-1299/MMP2 axis

Yang, Z.·Zhu, M.·Zhang, J.·Zhang, G.·Hu, J.·He, Q.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most prevalent form of esophageal cancer worldwide. Considerable evidence has verified that abnormal expression of lncRNAs can effectively influence the progression of various malignant tumors. However, the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs underlying ESCC development and progression remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in ESCC via regulating microRNA 1299 (miR-1299) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). A total of 32 ESCC tissue samples were obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The mRNA levels of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-1299, and MMP2 mRNA were measured via quantitative real-time PCR. Interactions among miR-1299, lncRNA NEAT1, and MMP2 mRNA in EC9706 cells were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The proliferation and migration/invasion of ESCC cells were verified by CCK-8 and transwell assays, respectively. lncRNA NEAT1 was up-regulated in ESCC tissues and cells. lncRNA NEAT1 silencing inhibited migration, invasion, and proliferation of ESCC cells. Furthermore, lncRNA NEAT1 sponged and negatively regulated miR-1299, thus giving rise to increased expression of MMP2. Moreover, miR-1299 inhibitors and MMP2 rescued the invasion of ESCC cells following silencing of lncRNA NEAT1. lncRNA NEAT1 was overexpressed in ESCC tissues and cells. Silencing of lncRNA NEAT1 inhibited ESCC proliferation, migration, and invasion via reducing competitive binding of lncRNA NEAT1 with miR-1299 and enhancing miR-1299-targeted suppression of MMP2. Taken together, our findings suggest that lncRNA NEAT1 is a potential target for ESCC therapy and rehabilitation.

Explore related subjects

cancer biologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Yang, Z., Zhu, M., Zhang, J., Zhang, G., Hu, J., He, Q.. 2021-01-20. Silencing of lncRNA NEAT1 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma proliferation, migration, and invasion via regulation of the miR-1299/MMP2 axis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.19.427233

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Ex vivo human tumor slices more accurately predict patient responses to an oncolytic virus than in vivo mouse models

Immunotherapies, including oncolytic viruses (OV), are promising therapies that can enhance anti-tumor immune responses. However, preclinical success of immunotherapies in mouse models has not always translated to clinical benefit in cancer patients. This study compared preclinical efficacy and mechanism of action for ASP9801, a vaccinia virus expressing IL-7 and IL-12, using mouse models of colorectal cancer (CRC) in vivo and in human organotypic tumor slice models ex vivo. The murine surrogate for ASP9801 significantly reduced tumor volumes in treated and abscopal tumors in two different CRC models in vivo (MC38 and RO100). Treatment efficacy was accentuated when combined with anti-PD1 treatment, and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed depletion of tumor cells and increased T cell infiltration and activation in both treated and abscopal tumors. However, human tissue analysis ex vivo (E-slices) using PDX models and patient samples showed that ASP9801 is not effective in CRC, consistent with clinical trial results. On the other hand, ASP9801 was highly effective in GBM, indicating indication-specific efficacy of ASP9801, and how E-slice assays can be used to identify treatment-sensitive indications. This study demonstrates the superiority of E-slices over mouse models for predicting clinical response and its utility in planning clinical trials.

cancer biology↗
bioRxiv2026

Immune-cell depleted diffuse large B-cell lymphomas have reduced expression of MHC class I

Immunotherapy has transformed treatment for many cancers. In the aggressive and genetically heterogeneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), CD19 CAR T-cell therapy is highly effective, whereas immune checkpoint blockade has shown limited benefit. Loss of MHC expression is a common mechanism to escape T-cell cytotoxicity, and loss of MHC class I (MHC-I) and II are frequent in DLBCL. We applied imaging mass cytometry to diagnostic biopsies from younger, high-risk DLBCL patients to map the tumor microenvironment (TME) spatial architecture in relation to tumor cell MHC expression, mutational status, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles. Neighborhood analyses identified four TME subtypes: immune-cell depleted and three immune-infiltrated types (mixed, CD4 T cell-rich, CD8 T-cell/macrophage-rich). Depleted cases had shorter overall survival (p = 0.033) and increased expression of proteins involved in DNA replication and proliferation markers compared to infiltrated cases. Tumor cell MHC-I expression was heterogeneous. Cases with low frequency of MHC-I-pos tumor cells were enriched for the depleted TME type. MHC-I-pos tumor cells were surrounded by CD4 and CD8 T cells and M1 macrophages, whereas MHC-I-neg tumor cells were closer to other MHC-I-neg tumor cells. These findings suggest that TME-based classification incorporating tumor cell MHC-I status may improve individualized immunotherapy selection.

cancer biology↗
bioRxiv2026

Cross-species analysis links cell-cell communication rewiring to NOTCH2 during serous endometrial carcinogenesis

Cell-cell interactions shape the fate of mutant cells during cancer initiation but how these interactions evolve during progression to pathologically recognizable lesions remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated cell-cell communication during serous endometrial carcinoma (SEC; also known as uterine serous carcinoma) development using a lineage-traceable mouse model and cross-species analyses of the mouse and human neoplastic endometrium. In mice, the early, pre-dysplastic stage was marked by a global decrease in inferred cell-cell interactions, followed by extensive communication network rewiring during neoplastic progression. Pathway-specific analysis revealed a similar pattern for NOTCH signaling, with NOTCH2 emerging as the dominant NOTCH receptor in Trp53/Rb1-mutant immature epithelial cells. Functionally, NOTCH2 promoted the outgrowth of more proliferative mutant organoids. Cross-species transcriptomic analysis identified conserved immature epithelial states in mouse and human neoplastic endometrial epithelium. In human tissues, NOTCH2 was overexpressed in serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma, a precursor of SEC, and in overt SEC. Furthermore, elevated NOTCH2 expression was associated with poor patient survival. These findings link cell-cell communication rewiring during experimental SEC development to conserved neoplastic epithelial states and identify NOTCH2 as an early marker and a potential target of disease interception.

cancer biology↗