Long non-coding RNA PROX1-AS1 knockdown upregulates microRNA-519d-3p to promote chemosensitivity of retinoblastoma cells via targeting SOX2

Objective Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in tumor progression, while the role of PROX1-antisense RNA1 (PROX1-AS1) sponging miR-519d-3p in retinoblastoma (RB) remains largely unknown. We aim to explore the effect of the PROX1-AS1/miR-519d-3p/sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) in chemosensitivity of RB cells. Methods Expression of PROX1-AS1, miR-519d-3p and SOX2 in RB tissues and cells was determined. The drug-resistant cell lines were established and respectively intervened with PROX1-AS1 or miR-519d-3p expression to explore their roles in drug resistance and malignant behaviors of the drug-resistant cells. The binding relationships between PROX1-AS1 and miR-519d-3p, and between miR-519d-3p and SOX2 were evaluated. Results PROX1-AS1 and SOX2 were upregulated while miR-519d-3p was downregulated in RB tissues and cells, especially in drug-resistant cells. The PROX1-AS1 inhibition or miR-519d-3p elevation suppressed the drug resistance, proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis of the drug-resistant RB cells. Moreover, PROX1-AS1 sponged miR-519d-3p and miR-519d-3p targeted SOX2. Conclusion PROX1-AS1 knockdown upregulates miR-519d-3p to promote chemosensitivity of RB cells via targeting SOX2.

Automated summary

In this study, PROX1-AS1 was found to regulate chemosensitivity in retinoblastoma by sponging miR-519d-3p and targeting SOX2. Inhibition of PROX1-AS1 or upregulation of miR-519d-3p suppressed the growth and invasion of drug-resistant cells, while promoting apoptosis.