The role of lncRNA ANRIL in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES:The aim of the current study was to identify the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) ANRIL function and molecular pathways underlying hepatocellular carcinoma progression. METHODS:ANRIL knockdown with specific siRNA, and transfected into HepG2 cells according to the protocol of Lipofectamine 2000. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and metastasis were assessed with MTT assay, flow cytometry and wound healing assay, respectively. Moreover, the expression level of ANRIL, apoptosis-related genes, and the Wnt pathway-associated genes were assessed by real time-PCR and Western blot assay. KEY FINDINGS:Knocking down of ANRIL led to alleviated cell growth and increased cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells through markedly increased expression levels of Bax and Bad. In contrast, dramatically diminished the expressions of anti-apoptotic factors including Bid and Bcl-2 in comparison to the scrambled control group (si-NC). Furthermore, ANRIL silencing resulted in an inactivated Wnt/β-catenin pathway by suppressing key genes associated with this pathway. CONCLUSIONS:Taken together, these findings imply new insights into the regulatory network of the Wnt pathway through lncRNA ANRIL that indicate ANRIL may be a therapeutic factor potential for hepatocellular carcinoma.