The lncRNA NEAT1 facilitates cell growth and invasion via the miR-211/HMGA2 axis in breast cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs play a significant role in cancer metastasis. Studies have demonstrated that LncRNA NEAT1 promotes cancer progression. We aimed to explore whether NEAT1 regulated growth and invasion in breast cancer cells. We provided evidence that lncRNA NEAT1 was up-regulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. NEAT1 promoted invasion through inducing Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and NEAT1 played a role in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance. In addition, we revealed a reciprocal repression between NEAT1 and miR-211. Furthermore, the EMT-inducer HMGA2 was identified as a down-stream target of miR-211. LncRNA NEAT1 induced EMT and 5-FU resistance through the miR-211/HMGA2 axis. Our findings suggest that lncRNA NEAT1 could be a new diagnostic biomarker and therapy target for breast cancer.