Downregulation of LncRNA-XIST inhibited development of non-small cell lung cancer by activating miR-335/SOD2/ROS signal pathway mediated pyroptotic cell death

LncRNA-XIST participated in the regulation of Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study showed that LncRNA-XIST aberrantly overexpressed in either NSCLC tissues or cell lines comparing to their paired control groups. Knock-down of LncRNA-XIST promoted NSCLC cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation, which were reversed by synergistically treating cells with pyroptosis inhibitor Necrosulfonamide (NSA). In addition, knock-down of LncRNA-XIST also promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In parallel, ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) abrogated the effects of downregulated LncRNA-XIST on NSCLC cell pyroptosis. Furthermore, miR-335 was the downstream target of LncRNA-XIST and overexpressed LncRNA-XIST increased SOD2 expression levels by sponging miR-335. Mechanistically, miR-335 inhibitor reversed the effects of downregulated LncRNA-XIST on ROS levels and cell pyroptosis, which were abrogated by synergistically knocking down SOD2. Taken together, knock-down of LncRNA-XIST inhibited NSCLC progression by triggering miR-335/SOD2/ROS signal pathway mediated pyroptotic cell death.