METHODS: Microarray assay revealed expression profile of lncRNAs in LAC. qRT-PCR ( quantitative reverse transcription PCR) was performed to identify lncRNA DLX6-AS1 expression level in 72 paired LAC and adjacent normal lung tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify that down-regulation lncRNA DLX6-AS1 decreased DLX6 (distal-less homeobox 6) mRNA and protein expression.
RESULTS: Microarray analysis identified up-regulation of 272 lncRNAs and down-regulation of 635 lncRNAs in LAC tissues. The expression level of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in LAC tissues was significantly higher compared to paired adjacent normal lung tissues (P< 0.05). In addition, its expression level was closed correlated with both histological differentiation (P = 0.004) and TNM stage (P = 0.033). qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that DLX6 mRNA and protein levels were lower in si-LncRNA group than in the NC (negative control) and Blank groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Microarray analysis identified that lncRNA DLX6-AS1 was up-regulated in LAC tissues. High DLX6-AS1 expression levels were significantly associated with both histological differentiation and TNM stage. Down-regulation of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 expression decreased the DLX6 mRNA and protein levels.