LncRNA AC099850.3 通过 PRR11/PI3K/AKT 轴促进肝细胞癌增殖和侵袭，并与患者预后相关

Background: LncRNA is a key factor influencing tumor development. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a novel lncRNA on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A candidate lncRNA in The Cancer Genome Atlas database was identified using limma and survival R packages. The effect of lncRNA AC099850. 3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, as well as its association with immune cells in HCC were investigated.

Furthermore, the functional mechanisms of lncRNA AC099850. 3 in HCC were elucidated. Results: The aberrant expression of lncRNA AC099850. 3 was identified in tumor tissues and its prognostic relevance in HCC was determined. The results revealed that AC099850. 3 was highly expressed in HCC tissues and cell lines, and it predicted poor prognosis in patients with HCC.

Furthermore, knockdown of AC099850. 3 significantly suppressed the proliferation and metastatic potential of HCC cells, and promoted cell apoptosis in HCC cells. The results of gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT pathway was associated with the biological function of AC099850. 3, which was further validated by western blotting. PRR11 was identified as the target gene of AC099850. 3 and we established that AC099850. 3 acted as an oncogene in the PRR11/PI3K/AKT axis. Immune cell infiltration analyses results revealed that AC099850. 3 was positively correlated with T follicular helper cells, M0 macrophages, CD4 + memory T cells, and memory B cells.

Conversely, AC099850. 3 was negatively correlated with M2 macrophages, monocytes, natural killer cells, and CD8 + T cells, which could be responsible for its oncogenic effect. Of note, a significantly positive correlation was observed between AC099850. 3 and key immune checkpoint molecules (PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and CTLA4) in the present study, making AC099850. 3 a potential immune therapeutic target for HCC. Conclusion: AC099850. 3 can promote malignant biological behavior of HCC cells, and could be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.