LncRNA AWPPH accelerates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by sponging miRNA-204 to upregulate CDK6

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to uncover the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AWPPH in the progression of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the potential mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: AWPPH and microRNA (miRNA-204) levels in NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Kaplan-Meier curves were introduced for assessing overall survival in NSCLC patients expressing high or low level of AWPPH. Potential correlation between expression levels of AWPPH and miRNA-204 in NSCLC tissues was analyzed by Spearman correlation test. Through Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay, the interaction among AWPPH, miRNA-204. and CDK6 was identified. Potential impacts of AWPPH/miRNA-204/CDK6 regulatory loop on mediating proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of A549 cells were evaluated through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay. RESULTS: Upregulated AWPPH and downregulated miRNA-204 were determined in NSCLC tissues. AWPPH level was negatively correlated to overall survival in NSCLC patients and miRNA-204 level in NSCLC tissues. Silence of AWPPH attenuated proliferative, migratory. and invasive capacities in A549 cells. MiRNA-204 was the downstream gene of AWPPH. Knockdown of miRNA-204 reversed the decreased viability, migratory, and invasive rates in A549 cells with AWPPH knockdown. In addition, CDK6 was the target gene of miRNA-204, Overexpression of miRNA-204 downregulated CDK6 level in A549 cells. The attenuated proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities in A549 cells overexpressing miRNA-204 were reversed after CDK6 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA AWPPH serves as the miRNA-204 sponge to upregulate CDK6 level, thus aggravating the progression of NSCLC.