Effect of long non‑coding RNA AK021443 on promoting hepatic fibrosis <em>in vitro</em>

Yang,Yuxin; Min,Zongsu

doi:10.3892/mmr.2021.11835

Effect of long non‑coding RNA AK021443 on promoting hepatic fibrosis in vitro

Authors:
- Yuxin Yang
- Zongsu Min
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Affiliations: Clinical Laboratory of Zunyi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, P.R. China, Department of Blood Transfusion, Zunyi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Zunyi, Guizhou 563000, P.R. China
Published online on: January 11, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2021.11835
Article Number: 196
Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Long non‑coding (lnc)RNAs serves an important role in the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. lncRNA AK021443 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and promotes HCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of AK021443 on hepatic fibrosis. AK021443 was overexpressed in the human LX‑2 hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line using a plasmid to observe its effect on hepatic fibrosis in vitro. A Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay was performed to assess cell proliferation, whereas cell cycle distribution and related proteins were analyzed via flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. The protein expression levels of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT)‑associated and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were also analyzed via western blotting. Immunofluorescence was conducted to observe the generation of collagen1, and the activity of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also analyzed. Compared with the pcDNA group, AK021443 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation, enhanced the transition of cells from G₁ to S phase and increased the expression of cyclin‑dependent kinase 2 and cyclin D1, but reduced the p21 protein expression levels. In addition, EMT capabilities, ECM deposition and the generation of collagen1 were increased by AK021443 overexpression compared with the pcDNA group. Moreover, AK021443 overexpression significantly increased the release of inflammatory cytokines, including TGF‑β, interleukin‑1β, platelet derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor and ROS, compared with the pcDNA group. In conclusion, the present study suggested that AK021443 overexpression increased HSC proliferation, activation and the proinflammatory response, indicating the potential role of AK02144 in aggravating hepatic fibrosis.

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