Long non-coding RNA CASC2 suppresses pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and phenotypic switch in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether and how lncRNA CASC2 was involved in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH)-related vascular remodeling. METHODS: The expression of lncRNAs or mRNAs was detected by qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis or immunochemistry was employed for detecting the protein expression. Cell number assay and EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) staining were performed to assess cell proliferation. Besides, flow cytometry and wound healing assay were employed for assessments of cell apoptosis and cell migration, respectively. Rat model of hypoxic PH was established and the hemodynamic measurements were performed. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome staining were carried out for pulmonary artery morphometric analysis. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA CASC2 was decreased in hypoxia-induced rat pulmonary arterial tissues and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Up-regulation of lncRNA CASC2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration yet enhanced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in hypoxia-induced PH. Western blot analysis and immunochemistry showed that up-regulation of lncRNA CASC2 greatly decreased the expression of phenotype switch-related marker α-SMA in hypoxia-induced PH. Furthermore, it was indicated by the pulmonary artery morphometric analysis that lncRNA CASC2 suppressed vascular remodeling of hypoxia-induced rat pulmonary arterial tissues. CONCLUSION: LncRNA CASC2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and phenotypic switch of PASMCs to inhibit the vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced PH. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12931-019-1018-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.