Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR enhances angiogenesis by induction of VEGFA expression in glioma cells and transmission to endothelial cells via glioma cell derived-extracellular vesicles.

Gliomas are one the most prevalent malignant carcinomas of the central nervous system, and angiogenesis plays a critical role in the progression of these blood vessel-rich tumors. HOTAIR, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), acts as an oncogene in gliomas; however, its role in glioma angiogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we identified a pro-angiogenic activity of HOTAIR.