LncRNA NR2F1-AS1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma oxaliplatin resistance by targeting ABCC1 via miR-363

Emerging evidence has validated the vital role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the chemoresistance of cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigate the function of lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 on oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and discover the underlying molecular mechanism. Results revealed that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 was up-regulated in oxaliplatin-resistant HCC tissue and cells using microarray analysis and RT-PCR. Meanwhile, ABCC1 protein was overexpressed in OXA-resistant HCC cells (Huh7/OXA and HepG2/OXA). In vitro, NR2F1-AS1 knockdown reduced the invasion, migration, drug-resistant gene (MDR1, MRP5, LRP1) and IC50 value in Huh7/OXA and HepG2/OXA cells. In vivo, NR2F1-AS1 knockdown decreased the tumour weight of HCC cells. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay confirmed miR-363 targeted the 3-UTR of NR2F1-AS1 and ABCC1 mRNA, presenting that NR2F1-AS1 promoted ABCC1 expression through endogenous sponging miR-363. In summary, results conclude that NR2F1-AS1 regulates HCC OXA resistance through targeting miR-363-ABCC1 pathway, providing a vital theoretic mechanism and therapeutic target for HCC chemoresistance.