Interferon-regulated lncRNA analysis identifies IRF1-AS as a tumor suppressor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)

Interferons and its downstream pathway play pleiotropic roles in antitumor reaction. However, targeting IFN pathway is unsatisfied due to unpredictable effects. Exploiting players other than known proteins involved in IFN pathway is pivotal for targeting this pathway. In our study, we comprehensively analyzed IFN-regulated lncRNAs and identified the top-ranking candidate IRF1-AS which functions as a positive regulator of IFN response and a tumor suppressor in ESCC. We also identified a positive feedback loop between IRF1-AS and IRF1, which was supposed to maintain the positive feedback loop between IFN signaling and IRF1-AS. IFN-β treated (1000 IU/ml; 72 h) and control KYSE30, KYSE180 and KYSE450 cells, and IRF1-AS knockdown and control KYSE30 and KYSE180 cells were used to perform RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).