LncRNA FOXD3-AS1/miR-128-3p axis-mediated IGF2BP3 in glioma stimulates cancer angiogenesis and progression

Introduction:
The aim of the study was to research the mechanism by which IGF2BP3 regulates glioma progression as well as its upstream regulatory axis.

Material and methods:
The researched mRNA was determined using differential expression analysis based on bioinformatics data, and its upstream miRNAs and lncRNAs were predicted. Interaction between genes we researched was identified by dual-luciferase method. The viability, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of glioma were measured with MTT, colony formation, Transwell and Matrigel tube formation experiments, respectively. The mRNA expression of each gene was tested with qRT-PCR. IGF2BP3 level was determined via western blot and immunohistochemistry. Subcellular fractionation of FOXD3-AS1 was tested with fluorescence in situ hybridization. In vivo tumorigenesis assay was conducted on nude mice.

Results:
IGF2BP3 high level in glioma cells correlated with patient’s prognosis. Downregulation of IGF2BP3 restrained proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis in glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. There was a binding relationship between IGF2BP3 and miR-128-3p. Besides, FOXD3-AS1 as a sponge of miR-128-3p was located mainly in cytoplasm. Additionally, FOXD3-AS1 facilitated IGF2BP3 level via sponging miR-128-3p to stimulate glioma angiogenesis.

Conclusions:
FOXD3-AS1 was a sponge of miR-128-3p through upregulating IGF2BP3 in glioma. Our findings shed light on diagnosis and treatment of glioma.