Oncogenic long noncoding RNA LINC02283 enhances PDGF receptor A-mediated signaling and drives glioblastoma tumorigenesis

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the etiology of complex diseases and cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM). However, lncRNA-based therapies are limited because the mechanisms of action of many lncRNAs with their binding partners are not completely understood.

Methods: We used transcriptomic and genomic data to analyze correlations between LINC02283 and PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor A). The biological functions of the novel lncRNA were assessed in vivo using patient-derived glioma stem-like cells (GSCs), and orthotopic GBM xenografts. Immunoblotting, qRT-PCR, RNA pull down, crosslinked RNA immunoprecipitation, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and antisense oligo-mediated knockdown were performed to explore the regulation of LINC02283 on PDGFRA signaling. Expression of LINC02283 in clinical samples was assessed using pathologically diagnosed GBM patient samples.

Results: We identified a novel oncogenic lncRNA, LINC02283, that is highly expressed in the PDGFRA mutation-driven cohort of glioma patients and associated with worse prognosis. LINC02283 gene co-amplifies with the PDGFRA locus and shows high correlation with PDGFRA expression. Deprivation of LINC02283 in GSCs with PDGFRA amplification mutation, attenuated tumorigenicity and enhanced survival in orthotopic GBM xenograft models, while overexpression of LINC02283 in GSCs with wild-type PDGFRA, enhances PDGFRA signaling, and decreases survival. Further, LINC02283 interacts with PDGFRA to enhance its signaling and that of its downstream targets AKT and ERK, thus promoting oncogenesis in GBM.

Conclusions: Our results provide strong evidence of LINC02283 as a regulator of PDGFRA oncogenic activity and GBM malignancy and support the potential of lncRNAs as possible therapeutic targets.