lncRNA BCAR4 Increases Viability, Invasion, and Migration of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Glioma-Associated Oncogene 2 (<i>GLI2</i>)

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effects of lncRNA BCAR4 on the viability and aggressiveness of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of BCAR4 and GLI2 downstream genes in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (CHIRP) and Western blot were employed to measure the expression of the GLI2 downstream proteins. Ki-67 expression in nude mice tumors was tested by immunohistochemistry. MTT assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay were used to assess NSCLC cell viability and aggressiveness, respectively. Tumor xenograft was conducted to determine the effects of BCAR4 and GLI2 on NSCLC tumorigenesis in vivo. The expression of BCAR4 in NSCLC tissues and cells was significantly higher than the normal level. The overexpression of BCAR4 promoted NSCLC cell viability, migration, and invasion. The suppression of BCAR4 and GLI2 showed the opposite effects. The overexpression of BCAR4 led to an increase in the expression of GLI2 downstream proteins, while the suppression of BCAR4 and GLI2 reduced their expression. In a tumor xenograft assay, the tumors in mice of the BCAR4 group showed the biggest volume, while those in mice of the si-GLI2 group showed the smallest volume. Ki-67 showed much higher levels in the BCAR4 overexpression group but much lower levels in the si-GLI2 group. In summary, the cooperative mechanism of lncRNA BCAR4 and GLI2 might provide a new opportunity for treating NSCLC.