Silencing of lncRNA MEG8 Represses the Viability, Migration, and Invasion of Wilms' Tumor Cells through Mediating miR-23a-3p/CRK Axis.

Purpose Compelling evidence has unveiled the importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in malignant behavior of Wilms' tumor (WT). Hereon, we intend to assess the function and associated molecular mechanism of lncRNA maternally expressed gene 8 (MEG8) in WT cells. Methods Expression levels of MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CT10 regulator of kinase (CRK) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Besides, wound healing assay and transwell assay were applied to examine abilities of cell migration and invasion, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to test the interplay among MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CRK. Western blot was used to detect relative protein expression of CRK. Results MEG8 and CRK expression was elevated, while miR-23a-3p expression was decreased in WT tissues and cells. The histologic type, lymphatic metastasis, and National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) stage were associated with the expression of MEG8, miR-23a-3p, and CRK in WT patients. MEG8 knockdown or miR-23a-3p overexpression restrained WT cells in cell viability, migration, and invasiveness in vitro. As to mechanism exploration, MEG8 could directly bind to miR-23a-3p and then miR-23a-3p targeted CRK. MEG8 was inversely correlated with miR-23a-3p and positively correlated with CRK in WT tissues. Meantime, miR-23a-3p was inversely correlated with CRK in WT tissues. Additionally, MEG8 knockdown-mediated suppressive impacts on cell viability, migration, and invasiveness were reversed by overexpression of CRK or repression of miR-23a-3p in WT cells. Conclusions The cell viability, migration, and invasiveness of WT cells were repressed by MEG8 knockdown via targeting the miR-23a-3p/CRK axis.