LINC01420 as a oncogenic lncRNA: Expression signatures, functional roles, and prognostic significance in cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a commonly occurred malignancy, and has a worrying survival rate. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between long non-coding RNA LINC01420 and CCA overall survival, and explore the biological function and mechanisms of LINC01420 in CCA progression. METHODS: LINC01420 and miR-320a levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed to analyze the correlation between LINC01420 expression and overall survival. CCK-8 and Transwell assay evaluated CCA cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. The interaction between LINC01420 and miR-320a by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Bioinformatics analysis predicted miR-320a target genes, related functions and pathway information. RESULTS: LINC01420 expression was significantly increased in CCA tumor tissues and cells. LINC01420 overexpression was significantly correlated with larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. LINC01420 was predicted worse overall survival in CCA patients. Knockdown of LINC01420 inhibited CCA cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects could be abolished by the reduction of miR-320a, which was determined as a target of LINC01420 in CCA. CONCLUSION: LINC01420 downregulation inhibited tumor progression by acting as a ceRNA of miR-320a in CCA cells. The LINC01420/miR-320a axis may provide novel biomarkers and targets for CCA therapy.