Activation of LncRNA TINCR by H3K27 acetylation promotes Trastuzumab resistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting MicroRNA-125b in breast Cancer

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab resistance followed by metastasis is a major obstacle for improving the clinical outcome of patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER-2+) breast cancer. While long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can modulate cell behavior, the contribution of these RNAs in trastuzumab resistance and metastasis of HER-2+ breast cancer is not well known. In this study, we sought to identify the regulatory role of lncRNA in trastuzumab resistance and accompanied Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) process in advanced HER-2+ breast cancer. METHODS: Trastuzumab-resistant SKBR-3-TR and BT474-TR cell lines were established by grafting SKBR-3 and BT474 cells into mouse models and subjected to trastuzumab treatment. LncRNA microarray followed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was carried out to verify the differentially expressed lncRNAs. Western blotting, bioinformatics analysis, immunofluorescence assay and immunoprecipitation assays (ChIP and RIP) were performed to identify the involvement and functional interactions between H3K27 acetylation and terminal differentiation-induced non-coding RNA (TINCR) or between TINCR and its downstream genes including miR-125b, HER-2 and Snail-1. In addition, a series of in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to assess the functions of TINCR. RESULTS: An increase in both, IC(50) value of trastuzumab and EMT was observed in the established trastuzumab-resistant cell lines. The expression level of TINCR was significantly increased in trastuzumab-resistant cells when compared with sensitive cells. Knockdown of TINCR reversed the trastuzumab resistance and the acquired EMT in these cells. TINCR was detected in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells and could sponge miR-125b, thereby releasing HER-2 and inducing trastuzumab resistance. In addition, Snail-1 was found to be the target gene of miR-125b and overexpression of Snail-1 could reverse the suppressed migration, invasion, and EMT caused by TINCR silencing. The upregulation of TINCR in breast cancer was attributed to the CREB-binding protein (CBP)-mediated H3K27 acetylation at the promoter region of TINCR. Clinically, HER-2+ breast cancer patients with high TINCR expression levels were associated with poor response to trastuzumab therapy and shorter survival time. CONCLUSION: TINCR could promote trastuzumab resistance and the accompanied EMT process in breast cancer. Therefore, TINCR might be a potential indicator for prognosis and a therapeutic target to enhance the clinical efficacy of trastuzumab treatment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-018-0931-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.