Objective To explore the effects of LINC00649/miR-424-5p/IGF1R on ERs-mediated apoptosis of cervical carcinoma (CC) cells.

Methods CC-related data was obtained from GEO database, then the differentially-expressed miRNAs were analyzed. The bioinformatics database was used to predict the upstream and downstream targets of miR-424-5p. LINC00649 and IGF1R were included. Dual luciferase reporter assay was adopted to confirm the targeting relationship. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of LINC00649, miR-424-5p and IGF1R in CC tissue and cells. CCK-8 and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of CC cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ERs-related proteins GRP78, CHOP and Caspase-12.

Results Compared with paracancerous tissue and H8 cells, LINC00649 and IGF1R were up-regulated in CC tissue and cells, while miR-424-5p was down-regulated (both P < 0.05). The abnormally high expression of LINC00649 in CC was related to poor prognosis. The knockdown of LINC00649 inhibited CC cell viability and induced cell apoptosis by promoting ERs (all P < 0.05). LINC00649 upregulated the expression of IGF1R via absorbing miR-424-5p. miR-424-5p inhibitor or IGF1R overexpression partially reversed the effects of LINC00649 knockdown on CC cells (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion LINC00649 could reduce cell apoptosis and improve cell viability by inhibiting the ERs process via regulating miR-424-5p/IGF1R axis in CC.