LncRNA TP73-AS1 Activates TGF-β1 to Promote the Migration and Invasion of Colorectal Cancer Cell

PURPOSE: LncRNA TP73-AS1 has been demonstrated to promote the developments of several types of human cancer. However, its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. METHODS: All CRC patients (n=70, 40 males and 30 females, 38 to 66 years’ old, 52.1 ± 5.3 years’ old) in this study were enrolled in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from July 2012 to January 2014. Cells, vectors, and transient transfections, RT-qPCR, western-blotting, as well as measurements of cell migration and invasion abilities were carried out during the research. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that TP73-AS1 was upregulated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent non-CRC tissues in CRC patients. Upregulation of TP73-AS1 was closely correlated with poor prognosis. TGF-β1 was also upregulated in CRC tissues and positive correlated with TP73-AS1. TP73-AS1 overexpression caused upregulated TGF-β1 in CRC cells, while TGF-β1 overexpression showed no significant effect on TP73-AS1. TP73-AS1 and TGF-β1 overexpressions caused enhanced migration and invasion of CRC cells. TGF-β inhibitor treatment caused suppressed migration and invasion of CRC cells and attenuated effects of TP73-AS1 and TGF-β1 overexpression. CONCLUSION: Therefore, TP73-AS1 may inactivate TGF-β1 to inhibit the migration and invasion of CRC cells.