LncRNA HCG11 enhances the chemosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cells to Gemcitabine via miR-17-5p/p21 axis

ABSTRACT

Background

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of lncRNA HLA Complex Group 11 (HCG11) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the molecular mechanisms.

Research design and methods

Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to determine the downstream targeted gene miR-17-5p/p21 and predict their binding sites. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect expression levels, and dual luciferase and RIP assays were adopted to verify binding relationship.

Results

The lncRNA HCG11/miR-17-5p/p21 axis was found to regulate drug resistance, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of A549 and A549-Gemcitabine (GEM) cells. HCG11 acted as a ceRNA binding to miR-17-5p, which repressed p21 expression in turn. In vivo experiments demonstrated that HCG11 hindered tumor growth. Therefore, lncRNA HCG11, by targeting the miR-17-5p/p21 axis, suppressed GEM resistance and malignant progression of NSCLC cells.

Conclusions

This study provides a reference for investigating the potential value of lncRNA HCG11 in the diagnosis of NSCLC and finding potential targets against clinical chemotherapeutic resistance in NSCLC.

KEYWORDS:

• lncRNA HCG11
• non-small cell lung cancer
• miR-17-5p
• p21
• Gemcitabine resistance

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contribution statement

Yufen Xu, Xiaoli Tan and Qi Yang contributed to the study design. Zhixian Fang and Wenyu Chen conducted the literature search. Yufen Xu and Zhixian Fang acquired the data. Wenyu Chen wrote the article. Xiaoli Tan and Qi Yang performed data analysis and drafted. All authors gave the final approval of the version to be submitted.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study protocol was reviewed and approved by Institutional Review Boards of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, approval number: JUMC2019–091. I confirm the study follows ARRIVE guidelines.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14737140.2024.2305352.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang province [NO.LQ20H160057], the Key Construction Disciplines of Provincial and Municipal Co construction of Zhejiang [NO.2023-SSGJ-002], Scientific Technology Plan Program for Healthcare in Zhejiang Province [NO.2021RC031, 2022KY377, 2023KY1196, 2023RC098], Science and technology project of Jiaxing [2019AY32030, 2020AY30012, 2021AY30024], National Oncology Clinical Key Speciality [2023-GJZK-001], Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Precision Treatment for Lung Cancer.