Objective: To clarify the expression and clinical significance of LINC01128 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), investigate whether it regulates the biological behaviors of TNBC cells by targeting miR-32-5p via the ceRNA mechanism, and explore new therapeutic targets. Methods: Tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues from 76 TNBC patients were collected, and the patients’ clinicopathological data were gathered. Experiments were conducted using the human normal breast epithelial cell line MCF-12F and multiple TNBC cell lines. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of LINC01128 and miR-32-5p; dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the targeted binding relationship between the two. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration abilities, respectively. Target gene prediction and GO/KEGG enrichment analyses were carried out by combining databases such as miRDB and miRWalk. Results: LINC01128 was highly expressed in TNBC tissues and cells (P< 0.01), and its high expression was an independent risk factor for advanced TNBC (OR=6.635, P=0.001). miR-32-5p was lowly expressed in TNBC (P< 0.01) and showed a significant negative correlation with LINC01128 (r=− 0.699, P< 0.001), with a direct targeted binding between the two. LINC01128 promoted TNBC cell proliferation and migration and inhibited apoptosis by suppressing miR-32-5p (all P< 0.01). The target genes of miR-32-5p were enriched in tumor-related pathways. Conclusion: LINC01128 is highly expressed in TNBC and promotes tumor progression by targeting and suppressing miR-32-5p via the ceRNA mechanism, which can serve as a potential molecular marker and therapeutic target for TNBC. Diagram of LINC01128’s role in TNBC progression and potential as a biomarker.The diagram illustrates the role of LINC01128 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). At the top, ’LINC01128 up in TNBC’ is shown, indicating its increased presence. An arrow points to ’LINC01128-miR-32-5p ceRNA Sponging’, suggesting a mechanism where LINC01128 sponges miR-32-5p. This leads to ’miR-32-5p down’, resulting in ’Relief of target gene inhibition and Activation of tumor-related pathways (e.g., stem cell pluripotency regulation)’. Another arrow shows ’TNBC Malignant Progression’. Below, ’miR-32-5p down’ is linked to ’Tumor suppressor’, ’Proliferation up’, ’Migration up’ and ’Apoptosis down’. At the bottom, the text reads ’Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for TNBC’. Keywords: LINC01128, miR-32-5p, triple-negative breast cancer, proliferation, apoptosis, migration
Xiong et al. (Wed,) studied this question.