Upregulation of lncRNA PTOV1‐AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma contributes to disease progression and sorafenib resistance through regulating miR‐505

Abstract

AbstractIncreasing evidence has displayed the vital influence of lncRNA in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance of cancer treatment. This study investigated the function of lncRNA PTOV1‐AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in sorafenib resistance. The relative expression of lncRNA and miRNA was measured by RT‐qPCR. The cellular activities including cell proliferation and invasion were explored by CCK‐8 and Transwell assays. Bioinformatics analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter assay were used to predict the targeting miRNA of PTOV1‐AS1. The expression levels of PTOV1‐AS1 were higher in HCC tissues than that in the normal tissues and associated with patients' overall survival. Knockdown of PTOV1‐AS1 decreased cell proliferation rate and invasion number. After treatment with different concentrations of sorafenib, the sorafenib‐resistant hepatoma cells were conducted. PTOV1‐AS1 expression levels were increased in HepG2‐SR and Huh7‐SR cells. PTOV1‐AS1 knockdown repressed the proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance of sorafenib‐resistant HCC cells by targeting the expression of miR‐505. In conclusion, the expression of PTOV1‐AS1 is increased in HCC and sorafenib‐resistance HCC cells, as well as is associated with patients' prognosis. Inhibition of PTOV1‐AS1 expression can reduce the resistance of sorafenib‐resistant HCC cells, which may play a role by targeting the negative regulation of miR‐505 expression.