Huai’er Qinggao Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Increasing LINC02154 Expression

Abstract

Background: Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with various malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Huaier Qinggao is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that exerts anti-cancer effects. In this study, we aimed to determine the roles and underlying molecular mechanisms of Huaier Qinggao in HCC via lncRNA sequencing. Methods: We determined the viability of the human HCC cell line, SMMC-7721, treated with Huaier Qinggao using the cell counting kit-8 assay. We also screened the differentially expressed (DE)-lncRNAs in Huaier Qinggao-treated HCC cells using lncRNA sequencing. Expression levels of four selected DElncRNAs and several markers associated with cell growth were determined using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 2154 (LINC02154) was knocked down to determine its roles in apoptosis, migration, proliferation, and invasion of SMMC-7721 cells. Results: Huaier Qinggao significantly inhibited SMMC-7721 cell proliferation. Moreover, treatment with Huaier Qinggao (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) resulted in 341 upregulated and 359 downregulated DElncRNAs. LINC02154 expression levels were significantly increased in treated cells than in control cells. Moreover, inhibition of LINC02154 expression significantly rescued the effects of Huaier Qinggao on cell proliferation, clone formation, apoptosis, invasion, and expression of cell growth-related markers, such as cyclin B1, phosphatase and tensin homolog, (B cell lymphoma-2) Bcl-2, ras homolog family member A, and small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) family member 2, in SMMC-7721 cells. Conclusions: Our results indicate that Huaier Qinggao inhibits HCC progression by upregulating LINC02154 expression.