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Cancer Cell International
Published in: Cancer Cell International 1/2021

01-12-2021 | Metastasis | Primary research

The VIM-AS1/miR-655/ZEB1 axis modulates bladder cancer cell metastasis by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Authors: Yaoyao Xiong, Xiongbing Zu, Long Wang, Yuan Li, Minfeng Chen, Wei He, Lin Qi

Published in: Cancer Cell International | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Invasive bladder tumors cause a worse prognosis in patients and remain a clinical challenge. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with bladder cancer metastasis. In the present research, we attempted to demonstrate a novel mechanism by which a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-miRNA-mRNA axis regulates EMT and metastasis in bladder cancer.

Methods

Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to detect Vimentin expression. The protein expression of ZEB1, Vimentin, E-cadherin, and Snail was investigated by using immunoblotting assays. Transwell assays were performed to detect the invasive capacity of bladder cancer cells. A wound healing assay was used to measure the migratory capacity of bladder cancer cells.

Results

Herein, we identified lncRNA VIM-AS1 as a highly- expressed lncRNA in bladder cancer, especially in metastatic bladder cancer tissues and high-metastatic bladder cancer cell lines. By acting as a ceRNA for miR-655, VIM-AS1 competed with ZEB1 for miR-655 binding, therefore eliminating the miR-655-mediated suppression of ZEB1, finally promoting EMT in both high- and low-metastatic bladder cancer cells and enhancing cancer cell metastasis.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the VIM-AS1/miR-655/ZEB1 axis might be a promising target for improving bladder cancer metastasis via an EMT-related mechanism.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The VIM-AS1/miR-655/ZEB1 axis modulates bladder cancer cell metastasis by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors
Yaoyao Xiong
Xiongbing Zu
Long Wang
Yuan Li
Minfeng Chen
Wei He
Lin Qi
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Metastasis
Published in
Cancer Cell International / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2867
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-021-01841-y

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