Silencing of lncRNA H19 Enhances the Sensitivity to X-rays and Carbon-Ions Through the miR-130a-3p /WNK3 Signal Axis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Abstract Background: LncRNA H19 was believed to act as an oncogene in various types of tumors and was considered to be a therapeutic target and diagnosis marker. However, the role of lncRNA H19 in regulating the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was unknown. However, the effects of lncRNA H19 on radiosensitivity of NSCLC were not clear. Methods: The expression profiles of lncRNAs were explored via transcriptome sequencing in NSCLC. The CCK-8, EDU, and clonogenicity survival assay were conducted to explore the proliferation and radiosensitivity in NSCLC cells. Results: Expression patterns of lncRNAs revealed that compared with A549 cells, lncRNA H19 was upregulated in radioresistant NSCLC(A549-R11) cells. Knockdown experiments revealed that lncRNA H19 enhanced the radiation sensitivity of both A549 and H460 cancer cell lines to X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Mechanistically, lncRNA H19 upregulated With-No-Lysine Kinase 3 (WNK3) expression via serving as a sponge of miR-130a-3p and promoted the resistance of NSCLC cells to both X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Conclusion: Knockdown of lncRNA H19 promoted the radiation sensitivity of NSCLC cells to X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Hence, lncRNA H19 might function as a potential therapeutic target which enhance the anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy in NSCLC.