Long non-coding RNA ZFAS1 regulates cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer via the miR-190a-3p/KLF6 axis

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ZFAS1 (zinc finger antisense 1) was demonstrated to play critical roles in various cancer progression. However, the functions of ZFAS in cervical cancers (CC) are unclear. Human CC cell lines were used for in vitro experiments. RT-qPCR (Real Time Quantitative PCR) was performed to detect the expression of ZFAS1, microRNA-190a-3p (miR-190a-3p) and Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6). Cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays were used to investigate biological behaviors of CC cells related to CC progression. The relationship of KLF6 to ZFAS1 and miR-190a-3p was analyzed by circRIP and luciferase reporter assay. In addition, in vivo experiment was carried out to explore the function of ZFAS1 in tumor growth of CC. The expression levels of ZFAS1 and KLF6 were both significantly elevated, while the expression of miR-190a-3p was inhibited in CC tumor tissues. In addition, ZFAS1 influenced CC tumor growth through miR-190a-3p. KLF6 was a target of miR-190a-3p and inhibited miR-190a-3p-induced CC tumor growth. Furthermore, KLF6 was negatively regulated by miR-190a-3p, but positively regulated by ZFAS1. Overexpression of ZFAS1 and inhibition of miR-190a-3p significantly increased the expression levels of KLF6. Finally, in vitro assays demonstrated that inhibition of ZFAS1 reduced CC tumor growth and the expression levels of KLF6, but increased the expression levels of miR-190a-3p. ZFAS1 could regulate CC pathogenesis via regulating the miR-190a-3p/KLF6 axis, which might be considered as new CC therapeutic targets.