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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Circ_0000658 knockdown inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer via miR-498-induced HMGA2 downregulation

Authors: Feng Qiu, Qiuchen Liu, Yanfu Xia, Hengxi Jin, Yuxin Lin, Xiaojun Zhao

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been associated with the angiogenesis and oncogenic phenotypes of multiple malignant tumors including bladder cancer (BCa). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are recognized as crucial regulators in the EMT. This study aims to illustrate the possible role of circular RNA_0000658 (circ_0000658) in BCa and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

The expression of circ_0000658, microRNA (miR)-498, and high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) was assessed in cancer and adjacent normal tissue collected from BCa patients and human BCa cell lines (MGH-U3, T24, 5637 and SW780). BCa cells were transduced with a series of overexpression or shRNA plasmids to clarify the function of circ_0000658 and miR-498 on the oncogenic phenotypes and EMT of BCa cells. Further, we established nude mice xenografted with BCa cells to validate the roles of circ_0000658 on tumor growth in vivo.

Results

Circ_0000658 was highly expressed in BCa tissue samples and cell lines, which indicated a poor prognosis of BCa patients. Circ_0000658 competitively bound to miR-498 and thus restricted miR-498 expression. Meanwhile, circ_0000658 weakened the binding of miR-498 to the target gene HMGA2 and upregulated the HMGA2 expression. Circ_0000658 elevation or miR-498 knockdown augmented oncogenic phenotypes and EMT of BCa cells, corresponding to a reduction in the expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin as well as an increase in the expression of N-cadherin, Slug, Snail, ZEB1 and Twist. Inhibition of HMGA2 reversed the effects of circ_0000658 overexpression on tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Altogether, our study uncovered the tumor-promoting role of circ_0000658 in BCa via the miR-498/HMGA2 axis.

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Title: Circ_0000658 knockdown inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer via miR-498-induced HMGA2 downregulation
Authors: Feng Qiu
Qiuchen Liu
Yanfu Xia
Hengxi Jin
Yuxin Lin
Xiaojun Zhao
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13046-021-02175-3

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