Amplification of Long Noncoding RNA ZFAS1 Promotes Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, with nearly 600,000 deaths occurring each year worldwide (1–3). Although hepatic resection, liver transplantation, and chemotherapy are commonly used to improving outcomes of the HCC patients, the postoperative 5-year survival rate is low (4). HCC shows a propensity to metastasize and infiltrate adjacent and more distant tissues (5). The poor prognosis of HCC is largely the result of distant metastasis and high rate of tumor recurrence after surgery (6). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are not well understood.

The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are a class of noncoding RNA over 200 nucleotides with no protein-coding potential (7). Through different mechanisms (epigenetic silencing, lncRNA–miRNA interaction and lncRNA–protein interaction), lncRNAs play critical roles in development, differentiation, and tumorigenesis (8, 9). LncRNA expression is frequently dysregulated in cancer, and specific lncRNAs are correlated with cancer recurrence, metastasis, and poor prognosis in different kinds of cancer (10). Examples include HOTAIR in breast cancer and HCC (11, 12), MALAT1 in lung cancer and bladder cancer (13, 14), HULC in HCC (15), and MEG3 in HCC (16), indicating that lncRNAs may be involved in tumorigenesis or tumor progression. HOTAIR, a well-known lncRNA, is increased in expression in various types of human cancers (11, 12). Overexpression of HOTAIR in epithelial cancer cells results in an increased cancer invasiveness and metastasis in a manner dependent on Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2; ref. 11). LncRNAs also function as a competing endogenous RNA and sponge miRNAs, thus regulating the expression of target mRNAs (8). Wang and colleagues showed that HULC acts as an endogenous sponge, which downregulates miR-372 activities (17). The interaction results in an increased level of Prkacb (cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta), a target of miR-372. lncRNA–CARL suppresses anoxia-induced mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes by impairing miR-539–dependent PHB2 downregulation (18).

ZFAS1, a newly identified lncRNA, was shown to be dysregulated in breast cancer (19). Askarian-Amiri and colleagues proposed a functional role for ZFAS1 in the regulation of alveolar development and epithelial cell differentiation in the mammary gland (19). However, the roles of ZFAS1 in tumor progression remain unclearly defined. It is also necessary to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ZFAS1 is involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In the current study, we found that miR-150 inhibits hepatoma cell invasion by targeting ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 in HCC. ZFAS1 acts as an endogenous sponge of miR-150, which abrogates the role of miR-150 in suppressing cancer metastasis. ZFAS1 increases ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression and promotes HCC metastasis by sponging miR-150 and inhibiting its function.

Two human lncRNA microarray datasets (GSE55191, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc = GSE55191 and GSE58043, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc = GSE58043) were obtained from public database NCBI. Aberrantly expressed lncRNAs were identified using Venn analysis and coexpression network analysis.

HCC specimens and the corresponding adjacent noncancerous tissues were obtained from Ruijin Hospital with informed consent. The protocols used in the study were approved by the Hospital's Protection of Human Subjects Committee. Recurrence-free survival was defined as the interval between treatment and first diagnosis of metastasis and recurrence. Overall survival was defined as the interval between resection and death or the last follow-up examination. Huh7, HepG2, Hep3B, SMMC7721, LM3 hepatoma cell lines and LO2, QSG7701 immortalized hepatic cells were directly obtained from Shanghai Cell Bank of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Shanghai, China). All cells were cultured in Minimum Essential Medium (Gibco) with 10% FBS (Gibco). The cell lines were characterized at the bank by DNA fingerprinting analysis using short tandem repeat markers.

Total RNA was extracted from specimens or cell lines using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen). The reverse transcription for mRNA and lncRNA was carried out using cDNA conversion kit and the Oligo(dT) primer (Invitrogen). Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was carried out on Applied Biosystems 7300 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems) using a standard protocol from the SYBR Green PCR Kit (Toyobo). The optimized primers used for qPCR were listed in Supplementary Table S1.

The plasmids pcDNA-ZFAS1, pcDNA-ZFAS1-mut (miR-150), and pcDNA-shZFAS1 were obtained from GenePharma (GenePharma) to overexpress or knockdown ZFAS1. The plasmids pPG-pri-miR-150 and pPG-miR-150-inhibitor (GenePharma) were used to overexpress or knockdown miR-150. Huh7 cells stably expressing ZFAS1, ZFAS1 plus miR-150, ZFAS1-mut (miR-150), shZFAS1, or shZFAS1 plus miR-152-inh were constructed in our lab. The siRNA or miRNA sequences were listed in Supplementary Table S1.

Cell invasion assay was carried out using Transwell chambers with inserts of 8-μm pore size (Corning Costar) as described previously (20). Briefly, Huh7 or HepG2 cells suspended in serum-free media were plated into the upper chamber for invasion assay after transfection, and media supplemented with 10% FBS was placed into the lower chamber. After 36 hours, the cells that had invaded through the membrane to the lower surface were fixed with methanol, stained with Crystal violet for 10 minutes, and counted.

The MS2bs-MS2bp–based RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was carried out according to previous reports (21). Huh7/HepG2 cells were transfected with pcDNA-ZFAS1-MS2, pcDNA-ZFAS1-mut-MS2, pcDNA-H19-MS2, or pcDNA-MS2. After 48 hours, cells were used to perform RIP using a GFP antibody (Roach) and the Magna RIP RNA-Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation Kit (Millipore). Then the miR-150 level was analyzed by qPCR.

Huh7 cells were transfected with miR-150 or miR-155 control. After 48 hours, cells were used to perform RIP using an AGO2 antibody (Abcam) and then the ZFAS1 level was analyzed by qPCR.

The RNA pulldown was performed as previously described (18). Huh7 or HepG2 cells were transfected with biotinylated miRNA (40 nmol/L). After 48 hours, the cells were harvested and the lysates were incubated with M-280 streptavidin magnetic beads (Sigma). The bound RNAs were purified using TRIzol and the ZFAS1 level was analyzed by qPCR.

The biotinylated DNA probe complementary to ZFAS1 was synthesized (Genepharm). Huh7 or HepG2 cells were overexpressed with ZFAS1, ZFAS1-mut or H19, and the cell lysates were prepared after 48 hours. Lysates were incubated with biotinylated probe and M-280 streptavidin magnetic beads (Sigma). miRNA level was analyzed by qPCR.

pGL3 plasmid encoding a luciferase reporter gene was purchased from Promega. Recombinant plasmid of pGL3-MMP14-3′-UTR, pGL3-MMP16-3′-UTR, pGL3-ZEB1-3′-UTR (wild-type), or corresponding mutant was constructed in our laboratory. HepG2 cells (1–2 × 10⁵ cells/well) were plated in a 24-well plate and cotransfected with 40 nmol/L of either miR-150 or miRNA control, 20 ng of either recombinant plasmids or corresponding mutants, and 2 ng of pRL-TK (Promega) by using Lipofectamine 2000. The pRL-TK vector was used as an internal control to correct the differences in both transfection and harvest efficiencies. HepG2 cells were collected 48 hours after transfection and analyzed using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System (Promega).

The athymic BALB/C mice (4–6 weeks old) were purchased from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Shanghai, China), and were maintained in a specific pathogen-free facility. Huh7 cells stably transfected with ZFAS1 (Huh7/ZFAS1 cell clone) or shZFAS1 (Huh7/shZFAS1 cell clone) were constructed in our lab and subcutaneously injected into the flanks of nude mice, and animal survival and lung metastasis were monitored. Intrasplenic injection model was used for liver colonization assays. For experimental metastasis assays, Huh7/shZFAS1 cell clones were labeled with firefly luciferase, and mice were then injected with 1–2 × 10⁶/50 μL cell clones by lateral tail vein injection. Metastatic progression was monitored and quantified using a noninvasive bioluminescence In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS, Xenogen) as described previously (22, 23).

Data were presented as mean ± SD from at least three separate experiments. The Student t test, χ² test, log-rank test, nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test, or Fisher exact test was used for comparisons between groups. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate overall survival. Differences were deemed statistically significant at P < 0.05.

To identify lncRNAs involved in HCC progression, we searched GEO database and two human lncRNA microarray datasets (GSE58043 and GSE55191) were obtained to analyze differentially expressed lncRNAs between HCC and pair nontumor tissues. We developed a Venn analysis to screen the consistently upregulated or downregulated lncRNAs in GSE58043 and GSE55191. Analysis of these data showed that 3 lncRNAs were consistently downregulated and 58 lncRNAs were consistently upregulated in HCC tissues (fold change > 4.0, P < 0.05; Supplementary Fig. S1; Supplementary Table S2). We constructed gene coexpression networks to find the interactions among transcripts (Supplementary Fig. S2; Supplementary Table S3). Within the network analysis, degree centrality is the most simplest and important measures of the centrality of a gene within a network that determines the relative importance. Degree centrality is defined as the link numbers one node has to the other (24). Coexpression network analysis showed that FABP5P3, LOC100996735, LOC100996732, ZEB1-AS1, and ZFAS1 are core lncRNAs. To validate the microarray analysis findings, we analyzed their expression using qPCR in 20 pairs of HCC and pair nontumor tissues (Supplementary Fig. S3). Of these five lncRNAs, ZFAS1 is the most upregulated lncRNA in HCC tissues. Similar results were also found in HCC cell lines (Supplementary Fig. S3). Therefore, we focused on ZFAS1 and investigated its expression pattern, clinical significance, and biologic function in HCC.

To further verify that ZFAS1 expression is upregulated in vivo, we assayed its expression in another panel of tumor tissues and pair nontumor tissues (Table 1). The ZFAS1 transcripts are expressed at higher levels in most tumor tissues compared with the nontumor tissues of the same donor (Fig. 1A). Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is the main route for intrahepatic metastasis of HCC cells in human patients (25, 26). We next assayed ZFAS1 expression in 41 PVTT and pair primary HCC tissues, along with 20 normal liver tissues. Figure 1B shows a significantly higher ZFAS1 expression in the PVTT tissues than primary HCC and healthy liver tissues, indicating the correlation of ZFAS1 with HCC metastasis. ZFAS1 expression is also increased in HCC cell lines compared with normal liver cell in vitro (Fig. 1C). Upregulation of ZFAS1 is more frequently observed in HCC patients with microvascular invasion than in those with no microvascular invasion, though there is no significant correlation between ZFAS1 expression and gender, age, tumor number, tumor size, AFP level, or HCC stage (Table 1). HCC patients with high ZFAS1 expression have higher recurrence rates and shorter overall survival than those with low expression of ZFAS1 (Fig. 1D and E; Table 1). These results suggest that ZFAS1 is upregulated and correlated with tumor recurrence and metastasis in HCC.

The biologic consequences of ZFAS1 in regulating cancer cell proliferation and invasion were then examined using cell biology assays. To evaluate the role of ZFAS1 in the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells, we established two stable cell lines (Huh7/ZFAS1 and HepG2/ZFAS1) after transfection with the pcDNA-ZFAS1 (Fig. 2A). Meanwhile, three siRNAs (siRNA1#, siRNA2#, siRNA3#) were designed to silence ZFAS1 expression. The target site one (siRNA1#) is the most effective site and is chosen for further study (Fig. 2B). Cell proliferation assay did not show a significant effect of ZFAF1 on cell proliferation (data not shown). We then investigated the role of ZFAS1 in cancer cell invasion. As shown in Fig. 2C–E, forced expression of ZFAS1 in Huh7 or HepG2 cells markedly promotes cell invasion compared with control, whereas knockdown of ZFAS1 inhibits cell invasion.

On the basis of the above findings that ZFAS1 promotes cell migration and invasion, we next investigated the effects of ZFAS1 on cancer metastatic ability in vivo. To establish a metastatic cancer model in vivo, Huh7 cells stably overexpressed with ZFAS1 (Huh7/ZFAS1) were labeled with firefly luciferase and injected into tail vein of nude mice. A bioluminescent signal was assayed at 10 week after tail vein injection. Figure 2F showed that the incidence of lung metastasis in the Huh7/ZFAS1 group is significantly increased, compared with the control group. Then, we inoculated the Huh7/ZFAS1 cells subcutaneously into mice and observed lung metastases after 6 weeks. Consistent with the above observations, ZFAS1 overexpression increases the number of visible lung metastases (Fig. 2G), whereas ZFAS1 knockdown in Huh7 cells inhibits lung metastases (Fig. 2H). The overexpression of ZFAS1 also results in a shorter overall survival time compared with control (Fig. 2I). These data show that ZFAS1 promotes cell invasion and tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Recent studies showed that many RNA transcripts may act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) by competitively binding miRNAs (27, 28). To explore the underlying mechanism responsible for ZFAS1 in tumor metastasis, we tested whether miRNAs are involved in the process. Bioinformatics analysis showed that ZFAS1 contains a binding site of miR-150 (Fig. 3A). miR-150, frequently downregulated in HCC (Supplementary Fig. S4), acts as a tumor suppressor (29, 30). To validate the direct binding between ZFAS1 and miR-150 at endogenous levels, we carried out an RIP with MS2-binding protein (MS2bp), which specifically binds RNA containing MS2-binding sequences (MS2bs). We generated a construct containing ZFAS1 transcripts combined with MS2bs elements (Fig. 3B) and cotransfected into hepatoma cells with a construct containing MS2bp-GFP. The immunoprecipitation was then performed using GFP antibody (IgG was used as a negative control), and miR-150 level was analyzed using qPCR. Figure 3C showed that the ZFAS1 is able to significantly enrich miR-150 compared with the empty vector (MS2), ZFAS1 with mutations in miR-150 targeting sites [ZFAS1-mut(miR-150)], and lncRNA-H19 control. ZFAS1 cannot enrich other unrelated miRNAs (e.g., miR-155 and miR-146), which does not contain binding site in ZFAS1 (data not shown).

The specific combination between ZFAS1 and miR-150 was further validated by RNA pulldown assay using a biotin-labeled–specific ZFAS1 probe (Fig. 3D). We also used inverse pulldown assay to test whether miR-150 could pulldown ZFAS1. Hepatoma cells were transfected with biotinylated miR-150, then harvested for pulldown assay. ZFAS1 is pulled down, but several site-specific mutations that disrupt base pairing between ZFAS1 and miR-150 results in the inability of miR-150 to pull down ZFAS1 (Fig. 3E).

We then produced a luciferase construct containing ZFAS1 or a mutated form [ZFAS1-mut (miR-150)]. Luciferase assay showed that miR-150 significantly inhibits the luciferase activity of ZFAS1, but it has less effect on the mutated form of ZFAS1 (Fig. 3F). miRNAs bind their target genes and cause posttranscriptional repression in an AGO2-dependent manner. To assay whether ZFAS1 was regulated by miR-150 in such a manner, we performed anti-AGO2 RIP in Huh7 cells transiently transfected with miR-150. Endogenous ZFAS1 is specifically enriched in miR-150–overexpressing cells (Fig. 3G), indicating that ZFAS1 is recruited to AGO2-related RNA-induced silencing complexes and functionally interacts with miR-150. Taken together, these data demonstrate that ZFAS1 physically binds with miR-150 and may function as a ceRNA.

The biologic consequences of miR-150 in regulating cancer cell invasion were then examined using cell biology assays. miR-150 mimic treatment increases miR-150 expression level, whereas miR-150 level is significantly decreased in Huh7 cells after treatment with miR-150 inhibitor (Supplementary Fig. S5). Functionally, miR-150 overexpression markedly inhibits cancer cell invasion, whereas miR-150 knockdown by specific inhibitor promotes cell invasion (Fig. 4A and B). miRNAs play a biologic function by targeting specific target gene. To identify potential target genes of miR-150, we searched for candidate genes using TargetScan6.2 and miRBase miRNA databases. Bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-150 directly targets ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16, three important regulators involving in tumor metastasis (Fig. 4C; refs. 28, 29, 30). We therefore constructed luciferase reporter vectors containing 3′-UTR of ZEB1, MMP14, or MMP16. The reporter assay showed that miR-150 is able to markedly inhibit luciferase expression, whereas mutation of 4 nucleotides in miR-150–targeting sites results in complete abrogation of the suppressive effect (Fig. 4D and E). Expectedly, forced expression of miR-150 significantly suppresses the ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 protein levels in Huh7 cells (Fig. 4F). Furthermore, the negative association between miR-150 level and ZEB1, MMP14, or MMP16 mRNA level was measured in 21 HCC tissues. The significant negative correlation is observed between the miR-150 level and the ZEB1, MMP14, or MMP16 level in vivo (Fig. 4G-I). These data suggest that miR-150 decreases cell invasion by suppressing endogenous ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression.

ZFAS1 directly binds miR-150 and inhibits its activity, and miR-150 targets ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16. We therefore speculated whether ZFAS1 controls ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression in a miR-150–dependent manner. Ectopic expression of ZFAS1 results in the upregulation of ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 transcript and protein level, whereas the ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression level in ZFAS1-mut (miR-150) group is similar to that of control (Fig. 5A and B). Furthermore, forced expression of miR-150 abrogates ZFAS1-inducing upregulation of ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 (Fig. 5A and B). Inversely, knockdown of ZFAS1 decreases ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression level in Huh7 cells (Fig. 5C and D). For the rescue experiment, we inhibited miR-150 in ZFAS1-downregulated Huh7 cells. Figure 5C and D showed that inhibition of miR-150 overcomes the decrease of ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 (Fig. 5C and D).

To further verify whether this observed effect depends on the role miR-150 in regulating of the ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16, 3′UTR, luciferase activity was assayed after cotransfection of luciferase plasmid (ZEB1-3′UTR-LUC, MMP14-3′UTR-LUC or MMP16-3′UTR-LUC) with ZFAS1. Overexpression of ZFAS1, but not the mutant, increases the luciferase activity of ZEB1-3′UTR-LUC, MMP14-3′UTR-LUC, and MMP16-3′UTR-LUC, whereas forced expression of miR-150 abolishes this increase (Fig. 5E). Inversely, the depletion of ZFAS1 inhibits the luciferase activity of ZEB1-3′UTR-LUC, MMP14-3′UTR-LUC, or MMP16-3′UTR-LUC, which is rescued by inhibition of miR-150 (Fig. 5F). We then assayed whether ZFAS1 is coexpressed with ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 in human HCC samples. We examined the expression levels of ZFAS1, ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 in 21 human HCC tissues. Fig. 5G–I showed that ZFAS1 transcript level is positively associated with ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 mRNA level. These results suggest that ZFAS1 positively regulates ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression by competitively binding miR-150.

We then tested whether ZFAS1 promotes HCC metastasis in a miR-150–dependent manner. Overexpression of ZFAS1, but not the mutant, increases Huh7 cells invasion, whereas forced expression of miR-150 abolishes this increase (Fig. 6A). Reciprocally, the depletion of ZFAS1 inhibits Huh7 cells invasion, which are rescued by inhibition of miR-150 (Fig. 6B). To explore the effect of ZFAS1 on liver metastasis, the different clones (Huh7/control, Huh7/ZFAS1, Huh7/ZFAS1+miR-150 or Huh7/ZFAS1/mut) were injected intrasplenically into nude mice. As shown in Fig. 6C, overexpression of ZFAS1, but not the mutant, results in an increased liver metastases burden, whereas forced expression of miR-150 abolishes this increase. Inversely, the depletion of ZFAS1 inhibits tumor metastasis, which is partially rescued by inhibition of miR-150 (Fig. 6D). We then inoculated cancer cells subcutaneously into nude mice and lung metastasis was observed. Consistent with the above observations, overexpression of ZFAS1, but not the mutant, promotes lung metastasis, whereas miR-150 abolishes this increase (Fig. 6E). The depletion of ZFAS1 inhibits lung metastasis, which is rescued by miR-150 inhibition (Fig. 6F). We also used subcutaneous tumor tissues to establish orthotopic tumor models. In this model system, ZFAS1 overexpression in Huh7 significantly promotes intrahepatic and lung metastases, whereas mutating the miR-150–binding site in ZFAS1 or miR-150 overexpression partly abrogates the prometastatic role of ZFAS1 (Fig. 6G). Expectedly, ZFAS1 knockdown inhibits intrahepatic and lung metastases in a miR-150–dependent manner (Fig. 6H). Consistent with in vitro results, ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 are upregulated in the orthotopic tumor tissues with ZFAS1 overexpression (Supplementary Fig. S6). The mutation of the miR-150–binding sites or overexpression of miR-150 abolishes the effects (Supplementary Fig. S6). Taken together, these data confirm that ZFAS1 upregulates ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression, and promotes tumor metastasis in a miR-150–dependent manner.

Large-scale complementary DNA cloning projects have identified that majority of the mammalian genome is transcribed, and only minority of these transcripts represent protein-coding genes (14, 31). In recent years, lncRNAs have gained massive attention as a potentially novel and crucial regulators of gene expression and cellular processes (32). In the study, we identified a set of lncRNAs differentially expressed in HCC using lncRNA microarrays. ZFAS1, a frequently amplified lncRNA, is correlated with poor prognosis in HCC. The ZFAS1 transcripts are expressed at higher levels in HCC tissues and cell lines. Especially, we found a significantly higher ZFAS1 expression in PVTT than primary HCC, indicating the correlation of ZFAS1 with HCC metastasis. Clinical data analysis showed that HCC patients with high ZFAS1 expression have higher recurrence rates and shorter overall survival than those with low expression of ZFAS1. The biologic consequences of ZFAS1 overexpression in regulating cancer biology were then examined. Overexpression of ZFAS1 not only increases HCC cell migration, but also promotes the invasion activity of HCC cells compared with the control. In vivo, ZFAS1 increases the incidence of intrahepatic/extrahepatic metastasis in HCC.

Through regulating gene expression by different mechanisms, including gene transcription, genomic imprinting, and chromatin modification, lncRNAs play crucial roles in the regulation of multiple biologic processes (9). ZFAS1 is transcribed in antisense orientation of the protein-coding genes, znfx1. Emerging studies showed that upstream antisense transcription could function as enhancer for corresponding gene expression (33, 34). Therefore, we first assayed whether ZFAS1 regulates znfx1 expression. However, the results from qPCR and Western blot analysis did not show a significant effect of ZFAS1 in znfx1 expression (data not shown). Recently, a novel regulatory mechanism has been identified in which crosstalk between lncRNAs and mRNAs occurs by competing for shared miRNAs response elements. In the case, lncRNAs function as ceRNAs to sponge miRNAs, thereby derepressing the expression of miRNA targets (35). Cesana and colleagues showed that linc-MD1 regulates the time of muscle differentiation by acting as a ceRNA in myoblasts (27). Linc-MD1 sponges miR-133 and derepresses the expression of MAML1 and MEF2C, two target genes of miR-133 (27). In HCC, HULC functions as an endogenous sponge that suppresses the activity of miR-372 (17). Meanwhile, emerging studies showed that ceRNAs cannot alter miRNA function in vivo (36, 37). They demonstrated that it is difficult to achieve sufficiently high expression of a ceRNA to significantly derepress the mRNAs regulated by that miRNA in vivo.

In the current study, bioinformatics analysis showed that ZFAS1 contains a binding site of miR-150. RIP, luciferase assay, and RNA pulldown demonstrated that ZFAS1 is able to significantly enrich miR-150, but ZFAS1 with mutations in miR-150–targeting sites abrogates the association of ZFAS1 with miR-150. Functionally, miR-150 overexpression markedly inhibits cancer cell invasion by directly targeting ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16, three important regulators involving in tumor metastasis. We then investigated whether ZFAS1 regulates ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 in a miR-150–dependent manner. Overexpression of ZFAS1 results in the upregulation of ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 expression. Furthermore, forced expression of miR-150 abrogates ZFAS1-inducing upregulation of ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16. In vivo, ZFAS1 transcript level is significantly positively associated with ZEB1, MMP14, and MMP16 mRNA level. Finally, we demonstrated that ZFAS1 promotes HCC metastasis in a miR-150–dependent manner. ZFAS1, but not the mutant on miR-150–binding site, increases cancer cells invasion, whereas forced expression of miR-150 abolishes this increase. The depletion of ZFAS1 inhibits Huh7 cells invasion, which are rescued by inhibition of miR-150. ZFAS1, but not the mutant, also results in intrahepatic/extrahepatic metastasis of HCC, whereas forced expression of miR-150 abolishes tumor metastasis.

A previous study showed that ZFAS1 functions as a putative tumor suppressor gene (19). They revealed that ZFAS1 is highly expressed in the mammary gland and is downregulated in breast tumors compared with normal tissue (19). ZFAS1 silencing in mammary epithelial cell line results in an increased cellular proliferation, indicating that ZFAS1 acts as a putative tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer (19). However, our results showed that the ZFAS1 transcripts are expressed at higher levels in most HCC tissues compared with the nontumor tissues of the same donor. Furthermore, the public NCBI web GEO profile indicates that ZFAS1 expression in HCC tissues is lower than that of normal control (GSE55191 and GSE58043). More importantly, we demonstrated that upregulated ZFAS1 promotes tumor metastasis, and is correlated with intrahepatic/extrahepatic metastasis and poor prognosis in HCC. Thus, it is possible that ZFAS1 plays different roles in different type of cancers, and the precise roles of ZFAS1 in cancer cells require further investigation.

Taken together, these results demonstrate that overexpression of ZFAS1 in HCC promotes tumor metastasis in a miR-150–dependent manner. Thus, ZFAS1 may be a novel target for the treatment of HCC.

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Conception and design: Z. Zhecheng, T. Li, J. Xie, B. Shen

Development of methodology: T. Li, J. Xie, C. Shen, D. Cheng, Y. Shi, Z. Wu, H. Chen, C. Peng

Acquisition of data (provided animals, acquired and managed patients, provided facilities, etc.): T. Li, D. Cheng, Y. Shi, Z. Wu, Q. Zhan, H. Chen

Analysis and interpretation of data (e.g., statistical analysis, biostatistics, computational analysis): C. Shen, D. Cheng, X. Deng, H. Li

Writing, review, and/or revision of the manuscript: Z. Zhecheng, T. Li, J. Xie, C. Shen, D. Cheng, Y. Shi, Z. Wu, Q. Zhan, X. Deng, H. Chen, B. Shen, C. Peng, H. Li

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.