Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates viability and metastasis, and is upregulated in retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is the most common type of intraocular pediatric malignant tumor, which typically affects children <6 years of age. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of retinoblastoma progression remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in retinoblastoma clinical samples and cell lines, using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, colony formation, MTT, fluorescence activated cell sorting, cell invasion and migration, and in vivo growth assays. The results demonstrated that H19 may serve a critical oncogenic function in the progression of retinoblastoma, as lncRNA H19 levels were markedly increased in retinoblastoma cells and tissues compared with corresponding controls. In addition, patients with retinoblastoma with increased lncRNA H19 expression experienced poorer survival time compared with those with decreased lncRNA H19 levels. Knockdown of lncRNA H19 significantly suppressed retinoblastoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, lncRNA H19 expression was also associated with multiple proteins, including cyclin-dependent kinase 1, B-cell lymphoma-associated X protein, apoptosis regulator, tumor protein p53, vimentin, cadherin 13 and matrix metallopeptidase 9. In conclusion, lncRNA H19 may serve an important function in tumorigenesis and may be a potential target for therapy and prognosis in retinoblastoma.