LINC00852 Regulates Cell Proliferation, Invasion, Migration and Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma the miR-625/E2F1 Axis.

Objective: This study investigates the function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA LINC00852 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Methods: The effects of LINC00852 and E2F1 on HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay, Transwell invasion and migration assays and TUNEL staining, respectively. The apoptosis of HCC cells was further determined by the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl2). Dual-luciferase reporter assays verified the targeting relationships among LINC00852, miR-625 and E2F1.

Results: Overexpression of LINC00852 was positively associated with HCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration while negatively associated with the cell apoptosis. LINC00852 bound miR-625 which further targeted E2F1. Overexpressing miR-625 or down-regulating E2F1 reversed the oncogenic effects of LINC00852.

Conclusion: LINC00852 regulates HCC cell activities the miR-625/E2F1 axis.