Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
2
Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
3
Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Institute of Cancer, Avicenna Health Research Institute, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
4
Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
5
Iran National Tumor Bank, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
6
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) ranks among the eight most common malignancies worldwide.
Long noncoding RNAs LINC00472 and LINC02381 are implicated in cancers, but their
role in EC remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigates the roles of LINC00472
and LINC02381 in EC. This study analyzed lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA sequencing
related to EC using TCGA. Then, the LINC00472, LINC02381, hsa-miR-7-5p, and
FHIT genes were identified. Expression levels of these genes were assessed in 20 EC
tissue pairs using RT‑ qPCR, while FHIT protein expression was examined by Western
blot and Immunohistochemistry. Chi-square tests explored clinicopathological
correlations, while ROC analysis evaluated their diagnostic potential. Bioinformatic
analysis and RT-qPCR results demonstrated significantly decreased expression of
LINC00472, LINC02381, and FHIT (p<0.01), alongside increased hsa-miR-7-5p
expression in EC (p<0.0001). A significant reduction in FHIT protein expression was
also observed (p<0.01). Correlations showed that LINC02381 and FHIT expressions
were positively correlated, while LINC00472 and LINC02381 were negatively
associated with hsa-miR-7-5p (p<0.05). Elevated levels of hsa-miR-7-5p were
significantly linked to vascular invasion and deeper muscularis propria infiltration in EC
(p<0.05). Higher FHIT levels were also linked to increased necrosis and decreased
vascular invasion (p<0.05). The ROC analysis demonstrated measurable AUC values for
each of the examined genes, suggesting potential diagnostic relevance that warrants
further validation. This research revealed dysregulated genes LINC00472, LINC02381,
hsa-miR-7-5p, and FHIT in EC, proposing a regulatory network through bioinformatic
analyses and correlations. Results establish groundwork for functional studies,
emphasizing their potential significance in understanding and controlling EC
pathogenesis.
Keywords: Esophageal Neoplasm, LINC00472, LINC02381, hsa-miR-7-5p, FHIT,
Diagnosis
Keywords