Integrated analyses of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in the progression of breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to explore the expression and potential functions of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNAs in human breast cancer (BC). METHODS: Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified and annotated in BC tissues by using the Agilent human lncRNA assay (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and RNA sequencing. After identification of lncRNAs and mRNAs through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we conducted a series of functional experiments to confirm the effects of knockdown of one lncRNA, TCONS_00029809, on the progression of BC. RESULTS: We discovered 238 lncRNAs and 200 mRNAs that were differentially expressed in BC tissues and para-carcinoma tissue. We showed that differentially expressed mRNAs were related to biological adhesion and biological regulation and mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, metabolic pathways, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. We created a protein–protein interaction network to analyze the proteins enriched in these pathways. We demonstrated that silencing of TCONS_00029809 remarkably inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of BC cells, and accelerated their apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a large number of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs, which provide data useful in understanding BC carcinogenesis. The lncRNA TCONS_00029809 may be involved in the development of BC.