Overexpression of long noncoding RNA, NEAT1 promotes cell proliferation, invasion and migration in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important modulators in the biological processes and tumorigenesis. However, whether lncRNAs are involved in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEC) remains unclear. In the present study, we explored the expression pattern, clinical significance and biological function of nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in EEC. The expression levels of NEAT1 were elevated in EEC tissues and cell lines, and higher expression levels of NEAT1 were positively correlated with FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of NEAT1 in HEC-59 cells transfected with pGCMV-NEAT1 promotes cell growth, colony formation ability as well as invasive and migratory ability; while knock-down of NEAT1 in HEC-59 cells by siNEAT1 transfection exhibited the opposite effects. Flow cytometry analysis showed that overexpression of NEAT1 led to an increase in S-phase cells and attenuated cell apoptosis, and knock-down of NEAT1 induced G0/G1 arrest and also induced cell apoptosis in HEC-59 cells. Tumor metastasis real-time PRC array showed that six metastasis-related genes (c-myc, insulin like growth factor 1(IGF1), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase 7(MMP-7) were up-regulated, and Cadherin 1 and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 were down-regulated) in NEAT1-overexpressing HEC-59 cells. Further qRT-PCR and western blot results confirmed that c-myc, IFG1, MMP-2 and MMP-7 were dys-regulated by NEAT1. Together, our data underscore the significance of NEAT1 in EEC development, and NEAT1 may a potential therapeutic target for EEC.