The Action and Mechanism of Long Noncoding RNA Heart and Neural Crest Derivatives Expressed 2 Anti-Sense 1 (HAND2-AS1) on Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Resistant to 5-Fluorouracil

Abstract

Background: The role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 anti-sense 1 (HAND2-AS1) in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-resistant colorectal cancer has been identified. Hence, this study explores whether and how HAND2-AS1 influences 5-FU-resistant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: ESCC and 5-FU-resistant ESCC cells were included in the study. HAND2-AS1 and miR-590-3p levels in ESCC/5-FU-resistant ESCC cells were compared. 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assays were utilized to assess cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Results: ESCC cells and 5-FU-resistant ESCC cells had a low HAND2-AS1 level. Cleaved caspase 3 and Bax protein levels and apoptosis were markedly decreased, while Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) protein level, miR-590-3p expression, proliferation, migration and invasion were obviously increased in ESCC cells resistant to 5-FU. However, these changes were all reversed by HAND2-AS1 overexpression which also significantly promoted ESCC cell sensitivity to 5-FU. MiR-590-3p overexpression neutralized the impacts of HAND2-AS1 overexpression. Conclusions: HAND2-AS1 promotes ESCC cell sensitivity to 5-FU via inhibiting miR-590-3p expression.