Microarray profiling analysis of circular RNAs expression in bladder cancer [miRNA profiling]. Microarray profiling analysis of circular RNAs expression in bladder cancer [miRNA profiling]

Background: Growing evidence has shown the association of long noncoding RNA/microRNA/mRNA is implicated in tumor initiation, development, and progression. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HAND2-AS1 exhibits anti-cancer effects in diverse cancers. However, the knowledge of HAND-AS1 in bladder cancer remains largely unknown. The present study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of HAND-AS1 in bladder cancer progression. Methods: The expression of lncRNA was analyzed by RT2 lncRNA PCR Arrays. The differential expressed lncRNAs were further verified by qRT-PCR. The relationship between lncRNA expression and clinical features was evaluated with Spearman correlation test. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis percentage was detected by ANNEXIN V-PI analysis. The promoter activity was illustrated by Luciferase assay, and the change of microRNA and protein was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, separately. Results: The expression of HAND2-AS1 declined in bladder cancer and correlated with depth of invasion and grades negatively. Restoration of HAND2-AS1 hampered cell growth by provoking cell apoptosis. Furthermore, one of the HAND2-AS1 sponge, miR-146, was found overexpression in bladder cancer tissue and cell lines. Expression of miR-146 related to HAND2-AS1 expression negatively. One of the targeted genes of miR-146, retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) was downregulated in bladder cancer. In addition, the expression of RARB related to miR-146 negatively. Lost-of-function and gain-of-function experiments were used to identify the mechanisms underlying association of lncRNA HAND2-AS1: miR-146: RARB. miR-146 targeted RARB directly and hindered RARB-mediate apoptosis. However, the hindrance was impaired by HAND2-AS1 notably. Conclusion: HAND2-AS1 diminished miR-146 expression, thereby releasing the suppression of miR-146 on RARB-mediated apoptosis, promoting bladder cancer regression. Overall design: Three primary patients primary bladder cancer were recruited in the present study. Microarray based miRNA expression profiles were obtained with Qiagen custom miScript miRNA PCR Arrays.